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Some cancer patients need blood stem cells to rebuild their immune systems. These cells can usually be collected from your blood. Sometimes, they're drawn from bone marrow donation.
Blood type, ethnicity, age and weight matter when it comes to compatibility.
But some patients can't find a match in their family.
Most donors are under age 60; a simple cheek swab DNA test starts the matching process.
You have about a 1 in 40 chance of being contacted for additional testing for a possible match.
About 1 in 400 will actually match for a donation.
Your blood goes through a machine that collects stem cells, then returns the blood to your body.
While you're under anesthesia, doctors take liquid marrow from your pelvic bone.
A relatively small investment of your time could mean a lifetime for someone who needs your help.
Guidance from the physicians, nurses and specialists at the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center.
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