Understanding More About Stem Cell Donation

If you want to help a person and a close relative, then you will have reasons to find this article interesting and informative. We will be dealing with the subject of stem cell donation. Put in simple words, stem cell donation from one person to another is also referred to as allogeneic transplant. Those who are keen on donating their stem cells joint a volunteer registry and it also is referred to as national registry. These donors can get in touch with a health care provider and get information about the nearest donor center. Before the actual donation takes place, the potential donors are asked several questions. This will ensure that they are healthy enough to be a candidate for donation. Further, such donors should not be a source of health risk for the recipient.

What Are The Steps To Be Followed

To begin with, a simple blood test is done to find out more about the donors potential HLA type. The fee for this could be around $75 to $100 and it is tax-deductible. People who become volunteers for such donations will have their names in the national registry until they reach the age of 60. Pregnant women also can donate the cord blood of their babies because it is considered to be rich in stem cells transplant match. However, arrangements for the same have to be made early during pregnancy. It should not exceed to the third semester of pregnancy. In fine, there are reasons to believe that donation apart from being free is safe and does not impact the birth process of the child.

How The Stem Cells Are Collected

Once the information and other aspects pertaining to stem cell donation are completed, the actual process of donation begins. The stem cells can be collected from the bone marrow, peripheral stem cell locations, umbilical cord blood. Each method is unique and it would be a good idea to have some basic information about each of the above process.

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Collection

This process is referred to as a bone marrow harvest. It is done in a specialized operating room and the donor is put under general anesthesia. The marrow cells are usually collected from the back of the pelvic bone or hip. The donor is made to lie face down and a large needle is pushed through the skin and into the back of the pelvic bone. The needle goes through the one and reaches the center from where liquid marrow is pulled out through the needle. This process has to be repeated several times before enough marrow has been taken out. The amount would depend on the overall weight of the donor and does not exceed 10% of the donors’ marrow. Once the process is over, the patient gets backs his or his senses and the entire recovery period should not be more than two or three days. It is quite safe with very little risk.

Peripheral Blood Stem Cells

This process begins several days before and the donor is put through an injection course of filgrastim. This enhances the growth and release of bone marrow cells into the bloodstream. There could be some side effects including pain in the joints, mild fevers and tiredness. These can be handled with the help of over the counter NSAIDs.

Contact US:

Gift of Life Marrow Registry
Address:  800 Yamato Rd suite 101  Boca Raton, FL
Phone: (800) 962-7769