Related Donor Services

Sample collection and typing 

Blood sample collection is not available during the COVID-19 outbreak. The information below is applicable when we return to business as usual. Go to the “Related donor collections during COVID-19 pandemic” webpage  for information on all services available during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This service includes collection of related donor samples and delivery to your center or one of our labs for HLA typing. Your options include buccal swabs from U.S. or international donors or blood samples from U.S. donors (up to 50ml). Please submit the completed form to your case manager.

Workup and collection (adult donors only) 

This service provides facilitation of the donor’s workup and collection, including the related donor evaluation and medical exam; HPC, Apheresis, HPC, Marrow and/or MNC, Apheresis collection; and product transport to your center. Please submit the completed form to your case manager.

Customized workup services

Our transplant center partners asked for the ability to select individual services to meet the specific needs of their patients or center. We now offer custom workup activities for U.S. related donors. 
You can request that we perform the full workup or the physical exam with a letter of recommendation for clearance. This allows your team to perform the product collection at your center. Or, we can continue to facilitate all aspects of workup and collection. 
Use the order form to select the option that fits your needs. View the transplant center fee schedule for list prices on custom workup activities. 

International cell collection and transport

For related donors living outside the U.S. or Mexico, we work with partners around the world to coordinate the donor workup, collection and transport to your center. We have also established operations and partnerships in Mexico, with apheresis and collection center partners in Guadalajara and offices in Mexico City. This makes typing, workup, collection and product transport easier for relatives living in Mexico.

Subsequent workup and collection (adult donors only) 

This service provides facilitation of a subsequent donation request for a related adult donor. The service is available whether the primary donation was performed at your transplant center or through the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP)/Be The Match®. It includes the related donor evaluation and medical exam; HPC, Apheresis, HPC, Marrow and/or MNC, Apheresis collection; and product transport to your center. Please submit the completed form to your case manager.

Sample collection and typing pricing

Our related donor HLA testing services are competitively priced, while offering the best-in-class testing and three-day turnaround times. Our Patient Financial Assistance is available for patients who don’t have adequate health insurance coverage to cover the cost of HLA typing for potential related donors.

Workup and collection pricing

Pricing for U.S. Related Donor Workup and Collection is approximately $25,000 for centers with an agreement in place. International pricing varies depending on partnering registry costs. Reference the list prices in the fee schedule for custom workup activities. When you use Related Donor Services to facilitate your patient’s transplant, you can apply for our patient financial assistance for your patient.

View fee schedule

[With Related Donor Services], our nurse coordinators can focus solely on the patient and not worry about all the logistics. We are able to make it easier for our donors to help their family member. I know our donors have really been appreciative.”

–Lisa Hoekstra, MT (ASCP), Unrelated Donor Search Coordinator, BMT & Cellular Therapy Program, University of Michigan Medical Center

Donor Benefits

To help related donors overcome travel, financial and logistical barriers to donation, Related Donor Services assists with:

• Coordinated travel and lodging arrangements for the donor and one companion, paid for by the NMDP/Be The Match
  
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket, donation-related expenses, such as transportation and other incidentals
  
• Reimbursement for lost wages due to donation
  
• Donor insurance to cover medical expenses
  
• Donor education and support

Download this PDF for related donors explaining Related Donor Services and its benefits.

Patient Benefits

Many patients have peace of mind knowing their relative’s costs are covered by the NMDP/Be The Match whether their workup and collection happens close to home or at your center.

But, one of the biggest patient benefits is access to our financial assistance for expenses before and after transplant. Learn more about the financial assistance available for your patients and how to apply.

Staff Benefits

You might not have thought about the ways Related Donor Services can help your team. Related Donor Services can:

• Be used for any related donor case, even when workup and collection will occur at your center or there are no significant travel or financial barriers to donation
  
• Allow your team to focus only on preparing your patient for transplant
  
• Help you get your patient to transplant in your desired timeframe because the workup process can move faster with a related donor already identified and willing to move forward to donation
  
• Alleviate capacity constraints at your center by tapping into our full Network of apheresis centers and collection centers