What is a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant?
Marrow produces the blood-forming cells that transplant patients need. The immature marrow stem cells can develop into any of the cells present in the blood stream: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. There are three sources of blood stem cells: bone marrow, the circulating blood (called PBSC) or umbilical cord blood. Your healthy donor cells go directly into the patient’s bloodstream. The cells travel to the marrow, where they begin to function and multiply, saving a life. How do you join the registry? If you’re in good health, between the ages of 18 and 60, and are willing to help save the life of a patient in need, it’s simple: Complete a registration form: contact information, health history, and a signed agreement to join the Registry. Give a sample of cheek cells using 4 sterile cotton swabs to be sent for tissue-typing. If you qualify as a potential match to a patient, you will be contacted to confirm your commitment, update your health history and have further tes
It’s a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with MDS, leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood diseases. The transplanted healthy stem cells from a donor replace a patient’s unhealthy blood cells that have been destroyed by chemotherapy. Q02: Are these the same stem cells about which there exists so much controversy? A: No. Those are embryonic stem cells—which are completely undifferentiated. Donors would be providing blood stem cells where the extent of differentiation is only the specific type of blood cell that will form. Q03: Does my blood type matter? A: Not at all. The testing is for genotype (tissue type) and not blood type. Q04: Who can be tested? A: Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60, in good general health and be free of chronic diseases. For example, volunteers with serious asthma, Hepatitis B or C or most forms of cancer (regardless of whether in remission) cannot be accepted. Q05: What is the procedure? A: Testing only takes a couple of minutes and, at wor
– A bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant is a potentially life-saving treatment for people with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers. A transplant replaces a patient’s unhealthy blood cells with healthy blood cells from their donor. • How do I register to become a bone marrow donor? 1. You must be between the ages of 18 and 55 and meet the eligibility requirements. 2. You need to complete a registration form. 3. Then, a collection of cheek cells using a cotton-tipped swab is taken and sent to a lab to be tested to determine your tissue type. 4. Your data is then entered into the National Registry NMDP) in anonymous form, so doctors can search for a donor for their patient(s). You are listed on the National Registry until your 61st birthday, unless you asked to be removed. YOUR INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL • What are the basic eligibility requirements to register as a bone marrow donor? – Be between the ages of 18 and 55 – Be in good general health – Not be HIV positive or at
