Would you donate your bone marrow?

[Anonymous]

Not to a family member, but a random stranger. Would you put yourself in the system to donate to a random stranger? I'm trying to convince myself to be a good person, but honestly the whole thing frightens me. People say it's painful, but the website says it's not. What's your opinion on it?

Updates

+1 y

If I had a child or loved one who needed bone marrow, I'd want someone to donate, so why can't I rise to the occasion for all those who DO need it?

[XRabbitHeartX]

I would love to donate bone marrow and I was very serious about it but then I was told I can't as I have scoliosis and people who have spine problems do not meet bone marrow donor eligibility criteria. It sucks but I really think it's amazing and wonderful that people would do it and if it was possible I would.

[Asker]

How painful did you learn it was?

[XRabbitHeartX]

I was told that you can expect soreness and it will be uncomfortable but good pain meds should be able to help a lot. The doctor also said that it's not nearly as painful as you may think. BUT then again it varies from person to person. You here bad stories and then good stories as well. But overall the fact that you are potentially saving someone's life outweighs the pain you experience at the end.

[curiouschica]

Yep because I'd want someone to do the same for me if I needed it (god forbid but you never know)!

[Asker]

So do you do it?

[curiouschica]

As in would I? I mean I already have my name on the list because someone close to me had leukemia a few years ago (he died) and was looking for donors...no one matched...

[Asker]

That's amazing! You get best answer, just for being a wonderful, strong human being (I realize others would also donate, but can't, and I apologize that I can't give them best answer too!)

[curiouschica]

Wow! Thanks! That's sweet! I haven't donated it yet! lol (I'm just on the list) But thank u! =)

[martyfellow]

My impression is that you ahve to donate to a farily close relative anyway. Stgrangers wouldn't be able to use your bone marrow.

But yes, it's very painful.

[stewartdent]

I would, it is likely painful but it is not a dangerous or life altering like giving a kidney.

[Asker]

Then have you registered to put yourself in the system? Will you?

[stewartdent]

i took a test about 5 years, ago if the opportunity came about to register again I would. I remember it was pretty simple and painless just a check swab.

[Anonymous]

People say that there are two ways to denote your bone marrow here. The first is to get the bone marrow from your bone, and the second is to get it from your blood. One is painful while the other is not painful that much.

And if I have to, I'll donate alone, I won't let the ones I love donate. As it may make you die because of lacking the ability to resist disease, and it may make you get older faster than others. destroy your normal ability. You need one month at least to recover if you are strong and healthy enough , and protect yourself very well. I admire you for your courage. Anyway, good luck to you.

good luck.

[Asker]

I have never heard anything you've said. Where did you get your information from?

[britannny]

The website lies. It's very painful. I don't know this firsthand, but I know a woman with cancer, nad her brother donated some bone marrow to her, and he said that it was a horrible procedure.

I think it's a good, selfless thing to do. But it's understandable if you'd rather not.

[Asker]

I feel that if the only thing holding me back is the pain of the procedure - which it is - that makes me a pretty bad person. What's a few days of discomfort or a single painful proceudre when I could be saving a person's life?

[kmhco]

They have to drill a hole in your hip. Its supposedly pretty painful so more power to anyone who does it. I'm terrified of needles so I probably wouldn't do it unless it was for a friend or family member. In the long run its not that bad, but I just couldn't do it...I'd much rather just donate blood.

[Anonymous]

I'm not allowed to donate marrow because of my scoliosis :/ I'm just a few degrees away from needing the surgery lol. I had no idea until I tried to sign up as a possible donor and they asked about it; but if I could, I would. It sounds painful and it is a relatively long process, but I think its worth it.

[starlight124]

It can be very painful because they have to stick a needle into a bone to get it. But yes I would donate bone marrow because if I can help even one person's life, I'd feel like the most amazing person in the world

[Asker]

Then have you registered or are you planning on registering?

[starlight124]

I'm planning to, but I'm too preoccupied at the moment to do it anytime soon :/

[Habakkuk]

Heck, no I wouldn't donate bone marrow unless they paid me a lot of money.. but I also have mild scoliosis, and according to XRabbitHeartX's response, apparently that disqualifies me in the first place, OH DARN

[Anonymous]

if it is going to save that person's life then YES do it

[Asker]

But would and do you?

[myspacemybroke]

No probably not.

[Asker]

Any reasoning?

[myspacemybroke]

Really can't bring myself to give that much of a damn about the majority of the people I know let alone a stranger.

[Asker]

Oh that's disheartening.

[myspacemybroke]

Glad I could help.