Myths & Misunderstandings
- Nationally 18% thought you can only donate to a member of your own family
Fact: Only 30% of patients needing a transplant will find a matching donor from within their own family, generally from a sibling
- Nationally 71% thought you have to be the same blood group as the patient to be a matching donor
Fact: Matching is performed by tissue type not blood group. However, some patients do take on the blood group of their donor, post transplant.
Nationally 21% said they would be put off volunteering to donate bone marrow because they do not like the idea of going into hospital for a stranger FACT: There are two methods of donation. 81% of people donate via peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC) which simply requires two or three outpatient appointments.
- Nationally 31% said they would be put off volunteering to donate bone marrow because it sounds too painful
FACT: After the donation, donors have compared it to a hard game of football or a day spent gardening. Neither method of donating bone marrow has long term side effects. (Source of stats: ICM Research conducted on behalf of The Anthony Nolan Trust 2-4 June 2006)
