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			HOW TO BECOME A BONE MARROW DONOR People can get typed at a scheduled registration drive. Alternatively, • If you live in the United States and would like to join the Registry, contact the donor center or recruitment group nearest you to make an appointment. The National Marrow Donor Program (www.marrow.org or 800-548-1375) has donor centers and recruitment groups in more than 100 communities throughout the United States, and many centers serve several areas or states. • If you are serving in the U.S. military and would like to join the Registry, contact the C.W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Center in Kensington, Maryland. • If you live outside the United States and would like to join the Registry, contact us at questions@nmdp.org. What to bring A social security number or driver’s license number and the contact information of 2 people who do not live with you (who can contact you in future years in case your address changes or we are unable to reach you). What is the process for registering as a potential donor? To register as a donor takes only about 15 minutes and about two tablespoons of blood or a finger prick. If you're a match for someone, and decide to follow through with the procedure, you'll undergo a simple surgery to remove marrow that your body will naturally regenerate in a few weeks. The surgery often doesn't even require you to spend the night, and the pain is similar to a heavy workout for about 2 weeks, in most cases. Registered donors will be on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry until their 61st birthday, although most people will only match one person in their lifetime. People who register should take the time to become fully educated about both the procedure and responsibility of becoming a registered donor, since you really can save someone's life. What is cord blood donation? Cord blood is rich in stem cells and can be used for transplantation in place of bone marrow. The immature cells found in cord blood are easier to match between non-related people than bone marrow. When using cord blood, there is also far less chance of the recipient developing negative medical reactions such as Graft versus Host Disease. Answers to Basic Questions: National Marrow Donor Program National Cord Blood Program: Cryobanks International Please Note: Tissue typing is FREE for mixed race and other people of color because they are underrepresented in the NMDP Registry. Caucasian donors may be asked to pay $25-$65 for tissue typing depending on funding available through various recruitment groups and donor centers.