Does anyone have experience with the National Marrow Donor Program?

Question

I was wondering how often you were asked for further testing as a possible match or how that all works. I was reading on the web site but couldn't find this specific information. I know it varies based on your blood type and type of tissue. I am A+ blood type which is a pretty common one. Just any experience you've had as a donor would be great.

Answer 1

I am a recipient not a donor.  Most of the people i have met on the registery have never been called, or only been called once.  I know a couple people who were called more than once, and only one that was actually a match.

It has nothing to do with blood type at all.  It literally doesnt matter.  in fact, a lot of times the donor is a completly different type.  All that matters is the HLA tissue type, and thats going to depend on whether your type is common or rare.  You could privatly get tested to access your type and how common it is if you want to pay for all that.