Does donating marrow hurt? ... Marrow donation is done under general or regional anesthesia so the donor experiences no pain during the collection procedure. Discomfort and side effects vary from person to person. Most marrow donors experience some side effects after donation.

Is donating bone marrow bad for you?

The risks of this type of stem cell donation are minimal. Before the donation, you'll get injections of a medicine that increases the number of stem cells in your blood. This medicine can cause side effects, such as bone pain, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

Does donating bone marrow shorten your life?

There are rarely any long-term side effects from donating either PBSC or marrow. The donor's immune system stays strong, and their blood stem cells replenish themselves in 4 to 6 weeks. ... Because only 1 to 5% or less of your marrow is needed to save the patient's life, your immune system stays strong.