It's highly unlikely, but possible, for a cousin to be a bone marrow match.
While siblings are the most likely relatives to be a close match, extended family members like cousins have a significantly lower chance. This is because bone marrow matching depends on Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), which are inherited. The more distant the relationship, the less HLA genes are shared.
Here's a breakdown:
- Siblings: Have a 25% chance of being a perfect match (if both parents are the same).
- Parents: Have a 50% chance of sharing one HLA haplotype, but are unlikely to be a complete match.
- Cousins: Have a very low chance of being a match, as the shared genetic material decreases with each generation removed.
While the odds are slim, a cousin could be a match if they happen to inherit a similar HLA type. It's important to register with a bone marrow registry to explore all possible matches, including unrelated donors.
What if a cousin isn't a match?
Even if a cousin isn't a perfect bone marrow match, they can still help in other ways:
- Joining the registry: Encouraging cousins and other family members to join the bone marrow registry expands the pool of potential donors for all patients in need.
- Fundraising and awareness: Supporting organizations that facilitate bone marrow donations can help more people find matches.
In conclusion, while a cousin matching is rare, it is not impossible. Always prioritize searching the bone marrow registry first.
