Bone Marrow Transplants: National Program Has Greatly Increased Pool of Potential Donors

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), focusing on: (1) the recruitment of volunteer marrow donors; (2) why potential donors were only partially typed for compatibility; (3) the outcomes and costs of patients' searches for donors; (4) the incorporation of changes in bone marrow research and clinical practices into the program; and (5) the role of federal funding. GAO also provided information on the American Bone Marrow Donor Registry.