Stem cell donor perspective

If a stem cell donor is a sibling or other family member of a stem cell transplant patient at Phoenix Children's Hospital, a physician cab discuss the events that will take place for the donor with the patient and family.

However, if the donor is unrelated, the patient and family will not be able to learn the identity or other details about the donor (for confidentiality reasons) unless both the family and donor agree and more than a year has passed after the transplant.

It is important to remember that the donor is helping the patient by donating their bone marrow, but also undergoing a very specialized procedure that requires general anesthesia or multiple medication injections.

These procedures may result in some mild discomfort for the donor for a few days.

If the donor is a child, it is important that they understand the procedure according to their age.

Contact us if you are interested in becoming a potential stem cell donor or have any questions about stem cell transplants through our Ottosen Family Blood and Marrow Transplant Program.