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National Marrow Awareness Month

This National Marrow Awareness Month, join the fight to save lives by registering as a bone marrow donor and spreading awareness about the importance of donation.

Sunday

1–30

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAll of November

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYRare Diseases

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to spread awareness and save lives this November 1, as we recognize National Marrow Awareness Month! This month-long observance was established in 1990 to educate the public about the importance of bone marrow donation and transplantation. Did you know that every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia or lymphoma, and a bone marrow transplant may be their only hope for survival? By raising awareness and registering as donors, we can help give hope to those in need. So let's join together and make a difference this National Marrow Awareness Month!

TIMELINE

National Marrow Awareness Month Timeline

First Successful Transplant

The first successful bone marrow transplant is performed by Dr. E Donnall Thomas in New York on a leukemia patient.

Stem Cell Discovery

Scientists discover that blood stem cells (HSCs) are the cornerstone of bone marrow transplants, stimulating growth of new marrow.

Establishment of NMDP

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) was established to improve access and donor matches for patients needing transplants.

First National Marrow Awareness Month

November is officially recognized as National Marrow Awareness Month, signifying nationwide efforts towards education and donor registration.

Umbilical Cord Blood

The NMDP starts to collect umbilical cord blood as an additional source for transplants, expanding potential treatment options.

Be The Match

The NMDP launches the "Be The Match" campaign to build a diverse marrow registry and connect more patients to life-saving donors.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Marrow Awareness Month

Educate yourself and others

Use this month to learn more about bone marrow donation and the impact it can have on someone's life. Share your knowledge with friends and family to spread awareness.

ORGANIZE

Organize a donor registration drive

Partner with local organizations and hospitals to host a donor registration drive. This is a great way to get more people signed up to potentially save lives.

WEAR

Wear orange for marrow awareness

Spread awareness by wearing orange, the official color of marrow awareness, throughout the month. You can also hand out orange ribbons or other items to those you encounter to start conversations about bone marrow donation.

HOST

Host a fundraiser for a marrow-related charity

Organize a fundraiser for a charity that supports bone marrow patients and their families. This can be anything from a bake sale to a charity run, and it's a great way to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

Share stories of transplant recipients

During National Marrow Awareness Month, share inspiring stories of those who have received life-saving bone marrow transplants. This can help motivate others to become donors and spread hope to those currently awaiting transplants.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Marrow Awareness Month is Important

To educate people on becoming donors

Many people are not aware that they can become bone marrow donors, or they do not know how simple it is to join the donor registry. National Marrow Awareness Month provides the opportunity to educate people on the importance of donating and how they can become potential donors themselves.

To raise awareness for a life-saving procedure

National Marrow Awareness Month brings attention to the need for bone marrow donors. Every year, thousands of patients with serious blood disorders and cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma require a bone marrow transplant as their best or only hope for survival. By raising awareness, more potential donors can be added to the registry and potentially save lives.

To honor and support those fighting diseases

National Marrow Awareness Month also serves as a way to show support and solidarity for those currently battling these diseases. It is a time to celebrate survivors and remember those who have lost their lives in the fight against blood cancer.

Related holidays

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month

Join the fight against blood cancers this Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month - together, we can make a difference!

Cord Blood Awareness Month

Raise awareness and save lives this Cord Blood Awareness Month by learning about the life-saving potential of cord blood donation.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Awareness month in September to raise public awareness of blood cancers and encourage education, research support, and patient advocacy.

National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to honor organ donors and raise awareness for the life-saving gift of organ donation. Register today!

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