I want to be a bone marrow donor, but I am only 16 years old. You have to be 18 years old to be a donor. I was wandering if I can be a donor if I have parental consent.
2007-07-18 11:24:33 · 7 answers · asked by K 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Nobody in my family needs marrow, thankfully. I just want to be in the registry because there is a chance I could save a life.
2007-07-18 20:59:54 · update #1
I like your attitude!
You could be a donor for a brother or sister, but hopefully no one in you family will need a transplant.
To join the national registry you do have to be 18, I think. Check their website, and let them know you're interested. If enough teens show interest, maybe the rules will eventually be changed.
Their web address is www.marrow.org
2007-07-18 16:42:57 · answer #1 · answered by SLC Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe with parental consent you could be a donor. There are new procedures that do not require "drilling" into bone for the marrow. They can harvest stem cells through your blood now, which is what they obtain from bone marrow. I recall a few years ago, a young woman was very ill with leukemia and her parents had another child, in the hopes that child would be a good match since neither parent or other relatives were. Turns out her baby sister was a good match and the young woman is healthy today.
2007-07-18 20:47:09 · answer #2 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your parent's consent, and take it with you when you go for your blood draw. If your blood has the right components, then you're placed in the national registrary. Keep the consent handy in case you get a call to come an dontate marrow before you're 18. Being a bone marrow donar is a wonderful thing. Good luck to you!!!!!
2007-07-26 13:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by Sindy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be unlikely that parental consent would change the rules in the case of donating to a stranger.
If you were a match to a close friend who had limited time, then there may be a relaxation of the rules.
Rules are sometimes more relaxed when a non-adult (I won't insult you by calling you a child when you are making such an adult decision!) is a match to a family member requiring a donation.
2007-07-24 22:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Tarkarri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may but I doubt it. At 16 you're still growing and it's painfull and pretty hard on your body. I believe the main reason they want you to be 18 is for your health reasons.
2007-07-18 18:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by d_marie_n 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has to do with the actual bones need to be 18. Be patient you'll be 18 before you know it.
2007-07-18 18:34:01 · answer #6 · answered by Dusie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please look out for yourself, anytime you go to the hospital disease is there. let alone if they invade your body.
2007-07-25 02:53:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋