Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q: Who is the National Marrow Donor Program^® (NMDP)?
A: The NMDP is the global leader in providing blood stem cells and umbilical cord blood transplants to patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases. Our nonprofit organization matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals, and conducts research so more lives can be saved. We provide support for patients, families, and enlist others in the community to join the NMDP Registry (the world’s largest listing of potential marrow donors and donated cord blood units), contribute financially, and volunteer. NMDP supports every aspect of the transplant process. We help doctors who treat patients. We guide donors through the donation journey. We advance transplant science. People’s lives literally depend upon our performance.

Q: Why do you call these individuals “donors”? Did they donate money to your organization?
A: When a person joins the NMDP Registry, they are considered a registry member. Once they are identified as the best match for a patient and are asked to donate their blood stem cells, they are called donors.

Q: Why do donors need physical exams?
A: Once a patient finds a matching donor, NMDP requires every donor to go through a complete physical exam (PE). The Evaluation performed at a physical exam ensures the donor is healthy enough to donate blood stem cells.

Q: Why doesn’t NMDP complete the physical exam?
A: NMDP partners with several providers to conduct physical exams across the United States. NMDP physicians use the information gathered at the exam to make the ultimate decision on whether a donor can proceed with donation.

Q: Who is my main point of contact from NMDP?
A: The main point of contact will be noted on the Physical Examination Request Cover Letter.

Q: Why is confidentiality important with NMDP donors?
A: NMDP donors DO NOT know the location where the patient receiving their cells lives. NMDP requires all of our partners to maintain our strict confidentiality policy. Do not disclose where any NMDP kits are being sent.

Q: How can I learn more about the venous assessment?
A: NMDP has a training video you can view here:

https://www.ClinicalProviderConnect.org/Physical-Exam/

Q: Why do I ship kits to different locations?
A: NMDP has many regulatory requirements that mandate who tests samples from donors, Therefore, you may have multiple kits to draw and ship.

Q: Why do I conduct another Health History if you’ve already provided one to me?
A: Donor safety is our highest priority. Therefore, to ensure accuracy, we are asking you to review and confirm the information the donor previously provided to us in a verbal interview.