Wanted: bone marrow donors

I joined 11 million other Americans recently in signing up to be a bone marrow donor. The National Marrow Donor Program Registry list may be long, but doctors report thousands of patients need a life saving transplant every day and many can't find a match. The greatest need is for minority donors.

Before you sign up, here are some of the guidelines to becoming a donor:

1) Adults only. Bone marrow donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60.

2) Do your homework. You must be willing to donate to any patient in need. Go to marrow.org to get more information on the actual medical procedures involved and donor sign up materials. There are no costs involved in donating.

3) Are you healthy? Donors are asked to complete an extensive health questionnaire. Certain conditions would prevent you from joining including: HIV, hepatitis, diabetes requiring insulin or diabetes related health issues and significant obesity.

4) Simple swab. Give either a swab of cheek cells or a blood sample so your tissue type can be tested.

There is no way to predict whether you will be identified as a match for someone needing a transplant. You have the right to change your mind at any time.

Judy Fortin's Health Minute segment runs daily on Headline News from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET weekdays.