What are the risks of marrow donation?
As with any surgical procedure, there is a small amount of risk with marrow donation. Although serious complications are rare, they may include bruising at the needle insertion site, infection, or adverse reactions to the anesthesia or transfusion. Many precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the donor. Donors are asked to complete a health questionnaire before joining the national donor registry. If a donor is a match for a patient, they are given a thorough physical examination to ensure they are healthy enough to donate. The donor’s safety is a primary concern of the National Marrow Donor Program.
