Finding The Right Donor Is Harder Than It Sounds
However, locating a bone marrow donor is more difficult than finding a blood donor. Doctors test the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) of donors to see if they are a match. HLA is a protein used by the immune system to distinguish between your cells and those of others. Each person carries six distinct HLA markers. A DNA test swab of the inside of your cheek can help doctors determine your HLA. If the six indicators match, the donor’s cells will not be considered “foreign” by the patient’s immune system.
Finding The Right Donor Is Harder Than It Sounds
An Unusual Bargain
Fortunately, Chris quickly discovered his donor, an unnamed German man. Chris was an information technology professional with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department in Reno, Nevada. They were worlds apart. Chris’s gloomy diagnosis went around his office. When the news reached them, Washoe County forensic scientists became interested in his case. They presented Chris with a unique chance that would confront the scientific community just a few years later.
An Unusual Bargain
