Matched Unrelated Donor Program

Stem cell transplantation can be performed using one’s own stem cells (autologous) or another person’s stem cells (allogeneic). Allogeneic stem cell transplantation offers potentially curative therapy to patients with a variety of cancers.

Ideally, a brother, sister or other family member can serve as the allogeneic (related) stem cell donor. Approximately 70% of patients who need a transplant do not have a matched donor in their family, and will require stem cells from an unrelated donor whose tissue most closely matches their own.

Our unrelated transplant coordinator team works in conjunction with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMPD)/ Be The Match to identify an HLA-matched unrelated donor or cord blood unit. The registry provides patients with access to nearly 22.5 million potential donors and more than 601,000 cord blood units on U.S. and global registries.

MD Anderson is certified by the NMDP to facilitate unrelated donor searches and transplants.

Stem cell transplant coordinators

Our unrelated transplant coordinators will supervise the search process and the pre-transplant evaluation and testing of the donor and recipient.  

If there are any questions regarding transplantation or the donation process, contact your unrelated transplantation coordinator:

• Michele Alvarez, Lead Coordinator: 713-745-3216
• Lori Griffin: 713-745-2293
• Kathie Nemeth: 713-745-5713
• Susan Sheldon: 713-745-4374
• Jessica Henderson: 713-792-2687