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Understanding Your Commitment

When you join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry, you give hope to patients everywhere.

Joining the NMDP Registry is an opportunity to share life with someone in need. It is also a commitment. When you join our Registry, it is important you understand what to expect so you feel comfortable about your decision.

Consider your decision

Discuss your decision with your family or friends when you join the NMDP Registry. You may need their support if you are ever contacted as a match.

You are never under any legal obligation to donate. However, a late decision to not donate can be life-threatening to a patient. Please think seriously about your commitment before joining the NMDP Registry.

Get the facts

FAQs about Joining the Registry — answers to common questions about the cost to join, your commitment and more
Medical Guidelines — health conditions that may affect your eligibility to join
Myths & Facts about Bone Marrow Donation — the truth about common misunderstandings
Steps of Bone Marrow & PBSC Donation — an overview of the donation process

If you still have questions, call us at 1 (800) MARROW-2 (1-800-627-7692) or contact your local donor center.

Stay involved after you join

Doctors search the NMDP Registry to find donors for their patients. Once you’ve joined, we will contact you if a doctor selects you as a suitable match for a patient in need of a life-saving transplant. You could be a match for a patient soon, many years from now or you may never be called. In the meantime, here are other ways to stay involved:

Keep your information updated

If you match a patient, we will need to find you quickly. Keeping us updated with your contact information is crucial!

Your phone number, name or address changes.
You have any changes to your health.
You want to be removed from the NMDP Registry.

Update your information online or call us at 1 (800) MARROW-2 (1-800-627-7692).

Stay informed

Spread the word

Tell your friends how they can join the NMDP Registry. Get involved. Save a life.

Umbilical cord blood: another way to help

Donating umbilical cord blood is different from joining the NMDP Registry. Donate your baby’s cord blood and discover another way to give hope to patients in need. To learn more, see Donate Cord Blood. Share Life.

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