Fears and doubts still remain behind this gesture of generosity. Let’s try to clarify the subject once and for all …

It is important that there are more and more bone marrow donors because for the transplant it is essential that there is tissue compatibility between the donor and the recipient, i.e. a genetic similarity necessary for the success of the operation. However, compatibility is very rare: it occurs in 25% of cases between brothers and sisters (but never between parents and children) and in 0.001% among people who do not have blood relations. The bone marrow, not to be confused with the spinal cord, looks like blood at the sight but contains hematopoietic stem cells from which the white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets originate: donating it can cure some blood or cancer diseases, such as severe forms of leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some genetic diseases. Read more about Does giving bone marrow hurt or does it involve risks? …