Finding an HLA-matched donor can be difficult because there are so many different HLA proteins. More than 2,500 different HLA proteins have been identified. These proteins -- your HLA genetic tissue typing markers -- are inherited. Each individual has their own set of proteins, half from their mother, the other half from their father. Thus, your ancestry (race and ethnicity) plays a major role in finding a match.

When it comes to matching human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, a person is more likely to find a donor from the same racial or ethnic background because HLA markers used in matching are inherited. Some combinations of these markers are more common in some racial groups than others. So a person’s best chance of finding a donor may be with someone who shares a similar ancestry.

Most people think when donating bone marrow it entails sticking a needle into the hip and removing bone marrow from both hips. That definitely is NOT the procedure for stem cell transplants in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

It begins simply with a request for a donor kit. Please go to the website listed below to obtain the kit. Once you receive the donor kit, you swab the inside of your cheek and mail it back to them. The more HLA antigens shared between a recipient and a donor, the better the potential outcome of the transplant. If you match someone, they will call you and request a blood test be taken for further testing. The best case scenario is to have a 10 tissue match—100% match. However, they will consider a 90% match, but not lower than that.

If someone is lucky enough that you qualify as a stem cell donor, it is almost like giving blood. An IV is placed on a recipient’s arm and their blood starts going through a machine. The machine takes out the white stem cells and rest of blood is returned to the donor via the other side of the IV. It is a relatively non-invasive procedure, other than placing an IV in your arm, no operation room and no anesthesia. Cells are either frozen or infused to recipient right away depending where recipient is located.

Again, if you would like to become a donor please click on the website below. It will take you to the “Be the Match” organization’s Join Now website.There are five questions that you need to answer to take you to the next page. If you use the website below, it will also populate the “promo code” with Darryl’s name. Although there is no fee for the kit for ages 18-44, there is a $100 fee for those who are 45-60. There is a telephone number that you can call for any further and more detailed information.

The family thanks you in advance for taking this first step towards surely giving Darryl or someone else “a gift of life.”