National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month
Save lives by registering as a bone marrow donor! November raises awareness about the critical need for bone marrow and cord blood donors. Learn how you can become a potential match for someone battling blood cancer or other diseases.
About National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month
Save lives by registering as a bone marrow donor! November raises awareness about the critical need for bone marrow and cord blood donors. Learn how you can become a potential match for someone battling blood cancer or other diseases.
History & origins
National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month is observed in November to spotlight the need for bone marrow and cord blood donors and to encourage registry sign-ups. The observance is closely associated with marrow- and transplant-support organizations such as Be The Match and the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, which use the month to educate the public about donation and blood cancer treatment. Its exact founding date and original organizer are not clearly documented in a single authoritative source, so the observance is best understood as an awareness campaign that grew out of the transplant and donor-recruitment community in the United States.
Why it matters
Bone marrow donation can be the difference between life and death for people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood diseases who need a stem cell transplant. It also matters because many patients do not have a matched donor in their family, so expanding the registry improves the odds of finding a lifesaving match. November awareness campaigns help explain the process, correct myths, and motivate healthy adults to register.
How to celebrate
Register as a bone marrow donor. Learn about the donation process. Share information about bone marrow donation. Support organizations like Be The Match. Encourage others to register.
Facts
- Every 3 minutes someone in the US is diagnosed with blood cancer
- 70% of patients don't have a matching donor in their family
- You could be someone's only hope for survival
- Registration is simple - just a cheek swab
- Donors aged 18-40 are most likely to be chosen
Frequently asked questions
When is National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month in 2026?
National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month in 2026 is observed throughout November 2026. It is a month-long observance rather than a single-day holiday.
What is National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month?
It is a health awareness month focused on the need for bone marrow and cord blood donors. The goal is to encourage people to learn about donation and join a registry if they are eligible.
Who started National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month?
The exact founder is unclear, and it appears to have emerged from transplant and donor-advocacy organizations rather than a single well-documented proclamation. Groups such as Be The Match and nbmtLINK have helped popularize the observance and its educational message.
How do you celebrate National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month?
You can register as a potential donor, share donation facts, and support donor-recruitment organizations. It also helps to learn the difference between bone marrow donation and peripheral blood stem cell donation so you can explain the process accurately.
Is National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month an official holiday?
No, it is an awareness observance, not a federal holiday. Its purpose is education, donor recruitment, and support for patients needing transplants.
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