Bone Marrow Donor Health
History Guidelines
Before being
tested as a volunteer donor you will answer a series of questions
that screen out volunteers who may have health problems barring
them from becoming a marrow donor. If you are unsure of your eligibility
please contact your donor center. Generally, donors must be between
the ages of 18-60 and in good health. It is the purpose of the following
information to be an informative tool, not a policy document. Difficult
questions are ideally handled by a medical director or donor center
staff with medical training. There may be exceptions to
the recommendations on the medical conditions chart. Good judgement
and sound medical advice may overrule these guidelines.AIDS:
If you have or are at risk for HIV (AIDS), you cannot become a marrow
donor.
Asthma:
Active asthma is not acceptable. If you have not had an episode
in five years and are not on medication, you are acceptable. Exercise-induced
asthma is acceptable.
Back
Problems: Back problems (sprains, strains and aches) are
common and may not interfere with a marrow donation. Serious back
problems, particularly those requiring surgery, may be a cause for
deferral. If you have significant back problems, consult your donor
center.
Blood
Pressure: Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is acceptable
if controlled by medication. High blood pressure is acceptable provided
it is not associated with a heart condition.
Cancer:
Cured local skin cancer (only simple basal cell or squamous cell)
is acceptable. Cervical cancer in situ is acceptable. All other
forms of cancer are unacceptable.
Diabetes:
Medication-dependent diabetes is not acceptable. Diabetes controlled
by diet is acceptable.
Epilepsy:
More than one seizure in the past year or multiple seizures are
not acceptable. Epilepsy controlled with medication, when there
has been no more than one seizure in the past year, is acceptable.
Heart
Disease: Prior heart attack, bypass surgery or other heart
disease is not acceptable. Mitral valve prolapse that does not require
medication or restrictions is acceptable. Irregular heartbeat not
requiring medication is acceptable.
Hepatitis:
History of hepatitis A is acceptable. Antibody to hepatitis B core
antigen is acceptable. Hepatitis B surface antigen is not acceptable.
Hepatitis C antibody is not acceptable. Hepatitis vaccine is acceptable.
Hospitalization:
If hospitalized within the last six months, consult your donor center
coordinator.
Lyme
Disease: Asymptomatic Lyme disease is acceptable if the
donor has been treated successfully with antibiotics. Chronic Lyme
disease is unacceptable.
Malaria:
Malaria more than three years ago is acceptable. If the volunteer
finished a full course of antimalarial drugs more than six months
ago, he or she is acceptable.
Obesity:
Greater than 25 percent more than medical standards for weight is
unacceptable.
Organ
or Tissue Transplant: Heart, lung, kidney, bone or other
organ or tissue transplant recipients are deferred.
Pregnancy:
Marrow cannot be collected at any time during pregnancy. Women who
are pregnant are temporarily deferred.
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases: Genital herpes will be evaluated
at time of physical exam, but is usually acceptable. Gonorrhea is
acceptable if it has been treated prior to the past 12 months. Syphilis
is acceptable if it was treated prior to the past 12 months.
Tuberculosis:
Pulmonary active tuberculosis within the last two years is not acceptable.
Vaccinations:
Vaccinations are acceptable, excluding HBIG and investigational.
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