There are two primary methods for donating bone marrow:
1. Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) Donation: The donor is given medication to increase the number of stem cells in their blood. These cells are then collected through a process called apheresis. 2. Bone Marrow Harvest: This involves collecting stem cells directly from the bone marrow, usually from the pelvic bone, using a needle.
Both procedures are typically outpatient and involve minimal risk to the donor.