Can I donate bone marrow?
Who qualifies, what disqualifies you, and the truth about the male-only donor myth.
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Curriculum-Aligned Resources
Education Resources
Scientifically accurate, age-appropriate educational content about blood and bone marrow donation for Washington State classrooms and beyond.
Supporting Washington State RCW 28A.210.430
This content supports the blood and bone marrow donation awareness instruction that Washington school districts are encouraged to offer beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
Interactive experience
Why matching is so hard
A chance at cure can come down to finding one person. Scroll through what leukemia does to the marrow, what a transplant asks of a body, and why the search ends with markers you inherited before you were born.
It is the story of Jada, who was diagnosed at one month old and had no match in her family — told the way it actually happens.
- 9 chapters
- Scroll to move
- Works on phones
- No sound
Or read the plain explanations: 147 condition guides, from leukemia to rare inherited disorders.
Educational and sourced: written and source-checked by the Foundation. Every figure in the story carries the population and year it came from.
- 00 Intro
- 01 Marrow
- 02 Leukemia
- 03 Treatment
- 04 HLA
- 05 Family
- 06 Registry
- 07 Match
- 08 Act
Why Blood & Bone Marrow Matter
Understanding the public health importance of blood and bone marrow donation.
~45,000
Units of blood used daily in the U.S.
Blood has a limited shelf life and must be continuously replenished.
Source: American Red Cross
~3%
Of the U.S. population donates blood
A small percentage of eligible donors support the entire healthcare system.
Source: American Red Cross
75%
Of patients lack a fully matched family donor
Most patients who need a bone marrow transplant do not have a fully matched donor in their own family.
Source: NMDP
40-71%
Of diverse patients lack a match
Patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds face significantly greater challenges finding donors.
Source: NMDP, 2024
The Role of Donor Registries
Bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants require careful matching between donors and patients. Unlike blood transfusions, which match blood types, marrow transplants require matching human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers—inherited genetic traits that vary significantly across populations.
Registries maintain databases of potential donors who have been tissue-typed. When a patient needs a transplant, doctors search these registries for compatible donors. The more people registered, and the more diverse the registry, the better chance every patient has of finding a match.
Science Foundations
Understanding Blood & Bone Marrow
Age-appropriate explanations of the science behind blood and bone marrow.
What Is Blood?
Blood is a living tissue that flows through our bodies, carrying everything our cells need to survive. An average adult has about 10 pints of blood (Source: NIH NHLBI).
Red blood cells carry oxygen from our lungs to every part of our body and bring carbon dioxide back to be exhaled.
White blood cells are part of our immune system, fighting infections and keeping us healthy.
Platelets help our blood clot when we get a cut, stopping bleeding and starting the healing process.
Plasma is the liquid part of blood that carries nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body.
What Is Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside our larger bones. Think of it as a factory that produces blood cells.
Blood stem cells (also called hematopoietic stem cells) live in the bone marrow. These special cells can develop into any type of blood cell the body needs.
Every day, bone marrow produces billions of new blood cells to replace old ones that have worn out. This continuous process keeps our blood healthy and our bodies functioning.
When bone marrow does not work properly—due to diseases like leukemia or other conditions—patients may need healthy stem cells from a donor to rebuild their ability to make blood.
How the Body Recovers (Homeostasis)
Our bodies are remarkably good at maintaining balance—a process scientists call homeostasis. When we donate blood, the body immediately begins replenishing what was given.
Plasma is replaced within hours. Red blood cells take a few weeks to fully regenerate. This is why there are waiting periods between blood donations—to give the body time to recover completely.
Similarly, when blood stem cells are collected from a donor, the body's bone marrow naturally produces new stem cells to replace them. Most donors feel back to normal within a few days to a couple of weeks.
This natural recovery process is why healthy adults can safely donate—the body is designed to regenerate what it shares.
What Is a Donor Registry?
A donor registry is a database of people who have volunteered to potentially donate blood stem cells or bone marrow if they match a patient in need. Registries operate in many countries and cooperate internationally to find matches for patients worldwide.
Why Matching Is Complex
Unlike blood type matching, bone marrow matching requires compatibility of HLA (human leukocyte antigen) markers. There are millions of possible HLA combinations, and the best matches typically share ancestry. This is why patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds often have more difficulty finding matches—they need more donors from similar backgrounds to be registered.
Why Ancestry Matters
HLA types are inherited from parents, much like eye color or blood type. People who share ethnic or ancestral backgrounds are more likely to have similar HLA markers. This genetic reality means that building a diverse registry is essential for serving all patients equitably.
Why Learning Early Matters
Young people cannot register as donors until they reach their registry's minimum age (in the United States, NMDP registers new members aged 18 to 35; other countries set their own ranges). However, learning about donation early helps future adults make informed decisions. Understanding the science and importance of donation is the first step—actual registration decisions come later, when individuals are eligible and can give informed consent.
Myths vs. Facts
Addressing common misconceptions about blood and bone marrow donation.
Myth
Bone marrow donation always requires surgery.
Fact
About 90% of blood stem cell donations today use a non-surgical process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, similar to donating blood platelets (Source: NMDP, formerly Be The Match).
Myth
Donating blood or bone marrow is dangerous.
Fact
Donation procedures are carefully regulated and monitored. Donors undergo health screenings, and the body naturally replenishes what is donated.
Myth
Learning about donation means you have to donate.
Fact
Education is about understanding, not obligation. Donation is always voluntary, and individuals make their own informed decisions when they are eligible adults.
Myth
Only certain people can help patients who need transplants.
Fact
People of all backgrounds can potentially help. In fact, patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds especially need more donors who share their ancestry.
Myth
There are already enough donors on the registry.
Fact
More than 9 million people are on the U.S. NMDP Registry, and more than 40 million potential donors can be searched worldwide, yet patients from diverse backgrounds still face significantly lower match rates than white patients (Source: NMDP, 2024). More registrants are always needed.
Read & Learn
Thinking About Donating? Start Here
Honest, sourced answers to the questions people actually ask before they join the registry — about who can donate, what the procedure is like, and how recovery goes. Most fears about being "disqualified" turn out to be unfounded.
The disease library
147 condition guides: understand the diagnosis
Explore conditions, treatments and the role of blood stem cell transplantation. Search by name, abbreviation or an earlier diagnosis name, with sources linked on every page.
Learn when a transplant may use a donor and when it uses the person’s own cells.
Can I donate? — eligibility questions
Eligibility
Eligibility
Can I donate with a health condition?
Most controlled conditions don't disqualify you — the registry decides from your full health history.
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Eligibility
Donating with tattoos
A healed tattoo does not disqualify you — only very recent ink may need a short wait.
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Eligibility
Donating with diabetes
Well-managed type 2 is often fine; insulin-dependent is more often deferred — so don't rule yourself out.
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Eligibility
Donating with high blood pressure
Controlled blood pressure usually doesn't disqualify you — and BP medication is fine.
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Eligibility
Donating while on medication
Antidepressants, statins, birth control and thyroid pills generally don't rule you out.
Read more
Eligibility
Donating and body weight
Weight alone rarely disqualifies you — any BMI guideline is about donor safety, not size.
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Eligibility
What disqualifies you?
Most "I think I'm disqualified" fears are wrong — the real hard-no list is short.
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Eligibility
Age limits to donate
NMDP recruits eligible U.S. residents ages 18–35; join and stay-on rules vary by registry.
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What is donating like? — the procedure, matching & recovery
The procedure
Does it hurt?
The honest pain level, the recovery, and the real risks of donating.
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The procedure
How donation works
The two ways to donate — PBSC and marrow — explained step by step.
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Recovery
Recovery & aftercare
Most PBSC donors are back to normal within a week — the body regenerates what you give.
Read more
Matching
Are siblings always a match?
A full sibling has only about a 1-in-4 chance of matching — which is why strangers matter.
Read more
Matching
How matching works
Why bone marrow matching depends on HLA markers, not blood type.
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The basics
Do you get paid to donate?
Whether donors are paid, what's covered, and why the system works that way.
Read more
Getting started
Which registry should I join?
How to pick the right registry for your country and sign up.
Read more
Community Awareness Model
Steps to Marrow
Steps to Marrow is our foundation's signature awareness program. Since 2009, founder Jeana Moore has walked thousands of miles across the United States and internationally, stopping in communities to share information about bone marrow donation.
Why walking works: Walking through communities creates natural opportunities for conversation. People stop to ask questions, share stories, and learn. This personal, unhurried approach helps spread awareness without pressure.
A model, not a requirement: Steps to Marrow demonstrates one way communities can engage in health awareness. Educators can discuss this as an example of civic engagement and creative approaches to public health education.
For Educators — Free Lesson Plans
Free K-12 Lesson Plans on Blood & Bone Marrow
Ready-to-teach lessons for every grade band — key concepts, vocabulary, discussion questions, and printables. Free to use in any classroom, in any English-speaking school, anywhere in the world.
For teachers worldwide • No login, no cost
K-2
Early Elementary
Focus: Helping Others & Health Workers
Key Concepts
- Some people get sick and need help from others
- Doctors and nurses help people feel better
- Giving blood is one way grown-ups help sick people
- Being healthy helps us help others
Vocabulary
bloodhealthydoctorhelpershare
Discussion Question
"Who are the helpers in your community? How do people help each other stay healthy?"
3-5
Upper Elementary
Focus: Circulatory System Basics
Key Concepts
- Blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body
- The heart pumps blood through blood vessels
- Blood has different parts: red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma
- Bone marrow makes new blood cells inside our bones
Vocabulary
circulatory systemoxygenblood cellsbone marrownutrients
Discussion Question
"Why is blood important for our bodies? What happens when someone loses a lot of blood?"
6-8
Middle School
Focus: Blood Types & Genetics Concepts
Key Concepts
- Blood types (A, B, AB, O) are inherited from parents
- Matching blood types is important for transfusions
- HLA markers help match bone marrow donors to patients
- Genetic diversity affects who can donate to whom
Vocabulary
blood typegeneticsinheritanceHLA markerscompatibilityregistry
Discussion Question
"Why might it be harder for some patients to find a matching donor than others?"
9-12
High School
Focus: Public Health, Ethics & Civic Engagement
Key Concepts
- Blood and marrow donation as public health infrastructure
- Ethical considerations in voluntary donation systems
- Health equity and disparities in donor registries
- Civic responsibility and community health
Vocabulary
public healthhealth equityinformed consentvoluntary donationdisparities
Discussion Question
"How do individual choices affect community health outcomes? What role does diversity play in donation registries?"
Additional Reflection Prompts (All Ages)
For Students
- • What surprised you most about how blood works?
- • Why do you think it matters to have diverse donors?
- • How do you think communities can support public health?
- • What questions do you still have about this topic?
For Class Discussion
- • What makes someone decide to help a stranger?
- • How do science and community work together in healthcare?
- • What role does education play in public health?
- • How can young people prepare to contribute to their communities?
Recommended Reading
Children's Books by Jeana Moore
Foundation founder Jeana Moore has authored several books to help young readers understand bone marrow donation in age-appropriate ways.
Walking for Jada
A Journey Across America
All AgesEnglish
The heartfelt story of Jeana's journey walking across America to raise awareness for bone marrow donation. This book shares the inspiring tale of love, determination, and hope as Jeana walks thousands of miles in honor of her granddaughter Jada, touching communities and lives along the way.
Walking with Torsten and Jada
A European Journey of Hope
All AgesEnglishGerman
Follow the inspiring journey through Germany, Italy, and Switzerland—a walk that spread awareness and connected communities across borders. This book captures the international spirit of the mission, as Jeana continues to honor Torsten and Jada while building bridges between cultures.
For Educators
We're Here to Help
We are here to support your classroom instruction. Request a speaker, ask about educational resources, or connect with us about how we can help.
Sources & Further Reading
Primary references for the statistics and claims on this page. The Jada Bascom Foundation cites these organizations as authoritative sources; this is not a formal partnership relationship.
- American Red Cross — US blood-supply and donation statistics
- NMDP — Join the registry (75% of patients don't have a fully matched donor in their own family; accessed September 2026)
- NMDP (formerly Be The Match) — "Likelihood of finding a matching donor" (match-rate disparities by ancestry, as of 2024)
- NMDP (formerly Be The Match) — Donation process (PBSC vs. surgical collection)
- NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute — Blood overview (adult blood volume, plasma composition)
- Gragert, L., Eapen, M., Williams, E., et al. "HLA Match Likelihoods for Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Grafts in the U.S. Registry." New England Journal of Medicine, 371(4), 339-348 (2014). doi:10.1056/NEJMsa1311707
Educational Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational awareness purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Information about donation processes is provided for general understanding. Actual donation eligibility is determined by registries and medical professionals. Students should direct health questions to qualified healthcare providers.
The Jada Bascom Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not encourage minors to register as donors. Our educational content supports informed decision-making by future adults.
Become a Potential Match
Joining a registry can make you available as a potential match for a patient who needs a transplant. JBF helps you find the official registry that serves your country.
