What Are the Donor Requirements for Donating Bone Marrow?
Doctors select individuals between the age of 18 and 44 for bone marrow donations 90 percent of the time; however, individuals on the Donor Registry remain on it until the age of 60 and may donate up to that age, states Be the Match. Potential donors must also pass a medical examination, be considered healthy and be infection free, according to Cancer.net.
Individuals with Lyme disease, malaria, cancer or certain heart conditions cannot donate blood marrow, states Cancer.net. Those diagnosed with hepatitis B or hepatitis C are also barred from donating. Individuals diagnosed with other certain medical conditions, such as anxiety, may donate blood marrow as long as the medical condition is considered under control. Individuals with tattoos or certain piercings must wait a year after receiving the tattoo or piercing to donate.
Certain prescription medications including birth control pills, antihistamines, thyroid medication, antibiotics and topical medications, such as skin creams, do not prevent an individual from donating, explains Cancer.net. Other medications allowed include anti-anxiety medicines, antidepressants and prescription eye drops.
Individuals with HIV may not donate bone marrow, according to Be the Match. Individuals at risk of HIV or AIDS must wait a certain amount of time before registering as a donor. Certain auto-immune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome, may also prevent an individual from joining the Donor Registry.
