Programs & Services | National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)

Programs & Services Index

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) facilitates unrelated marrow and blood stem cell transplants for patients with life-threatening diseases who do not have matching donors in their families. Interested in being a potential marrow or stem cell donor? We are an NMDP participating blood center. Register at one of our locations.

Frequently Asked Questons

Q. How do I sign up to be a volunteer marrow donor?
A. To be tested and registered on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry, you must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in good health. A simple blood test is required to enter your type onto the registry. Cascade Regional Blood Services conducts NMDP registration on Mondays and Tuesdays in Tacoma and Puyallup and on Tuesdays in Federal Way.

Q. Will it cost me anything to register?
A. The total cost for collection, testing and processing is approximately $100. If you are financially able please consider a donation of $25 to help offset these costs. Thanks to many supportive community sponsors, some of these expenses are underwritten. Minorities (‘minorities’ are outlined in the NMPD questionnaire) are tested free of charge to support the growing population and because there is a lack of registered minority bone marrow donors.

Q. How Do I Become a Marrow Donor?
A. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire, sign a consent form and give a small blood sample. The sample can be given after your whole blood donation. Your blood is tested to determine your (HLA) bone marrow type and then you are entered onto the National Marrow Donor Program registry (NMDP). The results are added to NMDP’s main computer, which is searched internationally on behalf of patients who need a marrow transplant.

Q. What are the chances of being a match for someone in need?
A. If your (HLA) bone marrow type is a possible match for a patient in need, you will be notified and asked to come to Cascade Regional Blood Services for additional testing. Further testing may indicate that your precise HLA-type is compatible with a patient.

For more information, call Cascade Regional Blood Services at 1-877-24BLOOD or 253-383-2553. More information is available at cascadebloodcenters.org or nmdp.org.