He said Mr. Vacco's campaign and office did not as a rule try to determine whether such related donors were linked to companies under scrutiny.

Doney KC, Chauncey T, Appelbaum FR, et al.: Allogeneic related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

His five largest groups of related donors together gave Mr. Cuomo more than $1 million, and 10 more bundles accounted for another million.

In fact, living non-related donors are now almost as common as living (genetically)-related donors.

Lifesavers, which is aiding in the private searches, was founded by Dr. Brutoco after his wife, Diana, needed a marrow transplant for leukemia and he could not find a compatible related donor.

"Instead, they should legalize the whole process and tighten controls on the sleaze: eliminate the middleman and try and insure related donors."

"He is an excellent surgeon whose whole life is transplants, especially living related donors, and an unfortunate situation occurred that was essentially on the verge of costing him his career."

Many receive transplants from related donors, some are considered unsuitable for transplants and others die waiting for a transplant.

Kidneys from living related donors do better than from deceased donors.

Living related donors donate to family members or friends in whom they have an emotional investment.