How does it work? of Bone marrow donation

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Bone marrow donors must have a tissue type that is compatible with the person who is going to receive their bone marrow.

Tissue type (also known as HLA type or human leucocyte antigens type) helps the body fight infection. In order to check that the tissue type is compatible, doctors check how many proteins on the surface of the blood cells match. There are millions of different tissue types but some are more common than others.

Tissue type is inherited; we get three antigens from each parent. This means it is more likely that a relative will have a matching tissue type. If a suitable donor cannot be found from family members, doctors will try to find someone on the bone marrow donor register.

Because there are a great number of tissue types, there needs to be a large register of donors (many thousands). This is so there is more chance of finding a match between donor and recipient.

Some tissue types are more common in particular ethnic backgrounds. So as well as matching a donor and patient's tissue type their ethnic backgrounds must match too. This means the transplant is more likely to be successful.

The British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) is run by the National Blood Service and works alongside other UK donor registries. There is a international database of more than six million registered potential donors, so whichever register you join, you will be contacted if you might be a potential match with someone needing a bone marrow transplant.

If you would like to register as a potential bone marrow donor on the British Bone Marrow Registry, you must also be a regular blood donor. Alternatively, you may join the Anthony Nolan Register, who do not require that you be a blood donor.

When you register you will need to supply a blood sample so your tissue type can be identified. This can be done through your GP. You can join the register up until the age of 40. Your details will be held on the registry until the age of 60. From the time you join the register until the age of 60 you could be contacted because someone needs a transplant and you are a potential match. You cannot choose who will receive your bone marrow; the donation is anonymous.

In some cases you may be able to exchange cards or letters with the person who received your donated bone marrow. This is usually not until a few years after the transplant.