30,000 new patients are diagnosed each year with leukemia or other life-threatening diseases that might be treated with a bone marrow transplant. The success of a transplant depends in part on the close matching of the donor and patient for specific components of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. About 30% of patients have a family member, usually a sibling, who can be their donors. Other patients must try to find a donor in the pool of unrelated volunteers.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 in good general health can volunteer to become a marrow donor. Specific medical guidelines have been established to protect patients and donors alike, and are available from the donor center in your state.

A small sample of blood can be collected for tissue typing at one of many centers throughout the United States. The cost is generally $35-90. Funding may be available to cover the costs of tissue typing; each blood center can tell you what to expect.

For more details on volunteering to become a marrow donor, visit the National Marrow Donor Program's website.