<p>I've decided to sign up to be a potential bone marrow donor. However, I've found two (seemingly) different national registries, and I'm not sure if they are the same, or if they aren't, what the differences between the two are. Does anyone know?</p>
<p>National</a> Marrow Donor Program - Be The Match Marrow Registry</p>
<p>DKMS</a> - Bone Marrow Donor Center</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Seems DKMS is only for leukemia patients, while the other registry is for anyone who needs a bone marrow donation.</p>
<p>I registered in the national registry about 20 years ago, and have had 2 near matches, but have never been matched with someone.</p>
<p>Thanks! So, would both be in one "unified" national database?</p>
<p>I belong to this one, which says its international:</p>
<p>International</a> bone marrow and cord blood search and donor recruitment center</p>
<p>Have never had any match requests, joined about 10 yrs ago.</p>
<p>I know someone who was a match with the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) and they were processed through the NIH in Bethesday MD.</p>
<p>My DH is registered through NMDP and he was a match for someone. Donated but sadly the person eventually succumbed to her illness. And yes, the donation is very painful.</p>
<p>The donation process has changed some over the years and it is not as painful. Many people now have their stem cells harvested from an apheresis procedure rather than a marrow extraction. These are called peripheral blood stem cells. The donor undergoes 5 days of "conditioning" where they are given shots to stimulate the bone marrow to increase the production and "excretion" into the blood of stem cells. During apheresis the donor has a needle in each arm. Blood comes out one arm, the stem cells are separated and collected from the blood and then the blood is returned to the donor (minus the PBSC) in the other arm. The procedure takes about 6 hours depending on how well the body responded to the conditioning treatment. The recipients of these cells undergo a less rigorous wiping out of their immune system.</p>
<p>The person I knew who was selected joined the NMDP because everyone else in her office was doing it and she felt bad about not (she was a little scared). She is a white female and not likely to have ever been picked but lo and behold just 4 months later she got the call and was the final best match for someone who last she heard is doing well.</p>
<p>Good to know that things have changed. My husband donated bone marrow about 20 years ago.</p>