FAQ’s

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS

What is a bone marrow transplant?

Bone marrow transplantation is a medical procedure used to treat dozens of illnesses - different types of cancers, aplastic anemia, immune deficiency disorders, and numerous genetic diseases.  For many patients, a bone marrow transplant from a genetically-compatible donor offers the patient the only chance for survival.

What is a bone marrow donor registry?

Patients and donors must share common inherited genetic factors. Fewer than 30% of the patients find donors among their siblings.  Others must seek an unrelated stem cell donor in bone marrow donor registries around the world

What is the process?

When a match is sought for a person in need of a stem cell transplant, the blood samples at Ezer Mizion’s Registry are checked to find a genetically matching donor for the patient. Further blood testing reveals whether there is a complete match so that a stem cell transplant can take place.

Why is a blood sample required?

A small blood sample is taken to determine tissue type when the potential stem cell donor joins the Registry.  The blood sample is laboratory tested and the data is stored in the Registry. Ezer Mizion’s Medical Advisory Board has recommended the use of blood samples for genetic testing since this method - which is used internationally – has proven to be the most reliable form of testing.

Why is a Jewish bone marrow registry necessary?

The chances of finding a matching non-related bone marrow donor are only about 1 in 30,000.  As a unique ethnic group, Jews comprise only a minute fraction of potential bone marrow donors in international bone marrow registries. This significantly reduces the likelihood of finding a donor.  A Jewish bone marrow registry greatly enhances the chances of finding a donor for Jewish patients.  Indeed, Ezer Mizion’s Registry is currently able to find donors for about 40% of the requests it receives.

Why do you make donor recruitment drives?

To enlarge the Registry. The more potential stem cell donors we have, the better the chances are to find a match that will save a sick person’s life.

What is the importance of Ezer Mizion’s Registry? 

Ezer Mizion’s Bone Marrow Donor Registry, officially recognized as Israel’s National Bone Marrow Registry, is the largest Jewish registry in the world today, with over 350,000 registrants worldwide.  In the ten years of its existence, the BMDR has made over 1,500 complete matches and facilitated over 375 life-saving transplants over 40 of them in 2008.  In August 2005 Ezer Mizion entered a partnership with the Israel Defense Forces, where every IDF recruit can be tested upon induction.  The success rate of matches with IDF soldiers is over 60 times the world’s average.  This is attributed to the ethnic diversity of the recruits who come from a wide variety of Jewish genetic stocks around the world and join the Registry upon their induction.  

What is Ezer Mizion’s relationship with transplant centers around the world?
Ezer Mizion’s Registry is affiliated with the International Bone Marrow Registry based in Leyden, Holland and works with transplant centers in over 30 countries throughout the world.  It is a cooperative registry of the National Marrow Donor Program, the largest registry in the United States, a fact that will make it possible to respond to requests by a greater number of people. Every month, the Registry receives scores of requests for donor searches from transplant centers and is instrumental in saving lives internationally. 

Why should I join the Registry?

Because you may be found to be a match for a cancer patient anywhere in the world and your small effort to donate stem cells can save someone’s life.

What if I can’t join Ezer Mizion’s Registry?

If you are unable to join Ezer Mizion’s Registry, you can still ensure the success of the donor recruitment drives by funding the cost of tissue typing others that join the Registry. Cost of lab testing for each sample is $45/£22/₪180. We need your help to fund this vital undertaking!