Hi guys, I just found out that someone I went to high school has leukemia and there is going to be a bone marrow donation at my old high school. I would like to donate, problem is, I have never donated bone marrow or blood before and I was wondering if anyone here as. If you have, does it hurt? And if it hurts, what kind of pain is it? I'm an registered organ donor but I have always wanted to donate blood and bone marrow, problem is, I a tattoo in Oct of 2008, so would that affect me donating if I choose to? Also, the day after the donation is my 21st birthday and I have plans to get trashed, so if I did decide to donate, would that mean I wouldn't be able to drink? Thanks for your help!

Also, if this is in the wrong forum, feel free to move it

Edited for spelling

The tattoo would, you have to wait a full year after a tattoo or piercing to donate bone marrow because of the risk of hepatitis. :(

I'm putting myself in the database as soon as I turn 18 though, just in case they find a match that needs it. My mom has done it a couple times, directly you're usually under anesthesia and can be sore after. Through peripheral blood you're given a drug that increases stem cells in your blood and those are extracted through a needle like a blood donation.

Hopefully you'll still consider adding yourself to the registry after October. :)

Ok, thanks for the advice! I wasn't sure about the tattoo. I knew I had to wait a year for blood, but I wasn't sure about bone marrow. I will defiantly consider adding myself in the end of Oct

I wouldn't get wasted just before or after the blood donation. If you do it before, it's in your blood stream, and if you do it after, you have less blood and you're body won't be able to handle the alcohol as well.

If you decide to be a potential marrow donor, they don't just haul you in and suck your bones dry. They run tests on your blood first. It would be silly to put you through that without finding a match first. It's a noble thing, and yes, you would need to disclose the tattoo and stuff. Good luck, remember that there is always a need for blood, not just when it becomes a current event.

I haven't donated in years, I need to get back in to the habit.