Once you are a member of the Be The Match Registry®, we will contact you if you are identified as a possible match for a patient.
When you may be contacted
You may be contacted at different stages of the patient's search and matching process:
- During a preliminary search, when you are ranked high on a list of potential donors who are a possible match for a patient
- When a patient’s doctor requests additional testing to help narrow the list of potential donors
- For confirmatory testing when a patient’s doctor requests more testing to determine if you’re the best donor for the patient
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What we will ask
- We will make sure you are still interested in participating and provide information and answers to your questions. For more information, see our interactive course for donors who have been called as a possible match: In the Know.
- We will ask questions about your health to be sure it is safe for you to donate bone marrow or blood cells. For more information, see Medical Guidelines: When You Match a Patient.
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Additional testing
- You may be asked to provide a blood or cheek cell sample for testing or a stored sample may be used.
- If you are asked to provide a cheek cell sample, we will send you a kit with instructions. You can see the detailed instructions in our online Cheek Swab Guide.
- You are likely one of several people being tested.
- About 8 percent of members who complete additional testing go on to donate. For more information, see How Donors Are Selected.
Participating in additional testing is your decision. There is no cost to you — any medical expenses are covered by the patient's insurance or the National Marrow Donor Program, which operates the Be The Match Registry. If you are unwilling or unable to participate, please tell us as soon as you decide. (You can inform us of your decision or update your address using our online update form.)
It can take one week to 60 days for the patient’s doctor to get the testing results and select a donor. The patient’s condition also affects the timing. We will keep you posted on the doctor’s decision. If you are the most suitable donor, you may be asked to donate right away or wait until the patient is ready. Doctors base the timing on what is best for the patient and you. Learn more about the donation process.
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Get more information
If you are a possible match, we'll share more information with you, including our interactive educational course specifically for donors who have been called as a potential match: In the Know.
See the Donor Educational Brochure (PDF) for the basic facts, steps in the additional testing process, and explanations of both donation procedures. For more donation information, see the Potential Match booklet (PDF).
Materials are also available in Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
To order these and other free materials for registry members, in English and other languages, use the online materials order form.
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About Be The Match Registry
Be The Match Registry is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP). If you joined the NMDP Registry, either in person or online, you are a member of the Be The Match Registry and do not need to join again. Learn more about Be The Match.