Question
In another Forum, we had previously talked about stem cell donation, which started out as being available only through cord blood.
That has changed. It can now be done through peripheral blood stem cell donation as an alternative. I will list the steps and then refer you to the National Marrow Donor's site where all of your questions can be answered and more extensive information found.
1) The first step is to join the NMDP Registry. Representatives then contact you to explain about the marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation process. You provide a small blood sample for tissue typing at this point.
2) If you are identified as a potential match, then you will be asked for another blood sample to determine whether you match well enough for the particular patient.
3) To prepare for the donation procedure, you then attend an information session about the process and possible side effects of the procedure. You will also receive a physical at this point, just as you would for marrow donation.
4) Then it's decision time for you as to whether to go ahead with this or not.
PBSC
5) For a PBSC donation, you will receive 4 or 5 daily injections of Filgrastim, a stem cell growth factor medication that increases the number of stem cells released from your marrow into your blood stream so they can be collected through an apheresis procedure.
6) During apheresis, which is done at a blood donor center or hospital, your blood is removed through a sterile needle placed in a vein in one arm and passed through an apheresis machine that separates out the stem cells. The remaining blood, minus the stem cells, is returned to you through a sterile needle in your other arm.
7) Apheresis donors can experience mild bone pain prior to the donation procedure as a result of receiving the Filgrastim. These effects diminish over one to two days after the last dose of Filgrastim is given.
The apheresis procedure itself is relatively pain free other than the initial stick of the needle. I have witnessed the procedure being done.
After you donate stem cells, your NMDP donor center coordinator will call you to follow-up on your experience. Your coordinator will continue to follow-up with you until you are able to resume normal activity.
Please visit the National Marrow Donor site for more extensive information and answers to all of your questions.
www.marrow.org
------------------
~ Mary ~
Co-Administrator
[This message has been edited by Mary (edited December 05, 1999).]
Answer
Wow! Mary, I'm impressed! You've been doing your homework haven't you?
But I have a few questions for you on this post.
Please share with us what type of conditions would require such a process.
Are there any side effects to the injections, and if so what might they be?
Can you be a donor on a regular basis as with blood?
I have never given much thought to being this type of donor, however, I am a total body donor and it is marked on my driver's license.
Thanks for the informative post.
------------------
Keeping you safe, healthy, and on the road.
Nurse Red
Visit us at www.Truck.net/abmsVisit us at
Answer
Nurse Red,
If you will refer to the online site that I included in my post, you will be able to find the answers to all your questions.
Sorry that I can't answer them off the top of my head, and I just don't have the spare time to do the research right now.
That's also a good point that you brought up about the license. I, too, am a donor and wish that more people would consider this matter before renewing their license.
------------------
~ Mary ~
Co-Administrator