how do you donate a stem cell

by Delaney Brekke 3 min read

Peripheral blood stem cell donation
During the donation, blood is usually taken out through a catheter in a vein in your arm. The blood is sent through a machine that takes out the stem cells. The unused components are returned to your bloodstream. This process is called apheresis.
May 30, 2020

How often Am I allowed to donate stem cells?

Collecting bone marrow stem cells This process is often called bone marrow harvest. It’s done in an operating room, while the donor is under general anesthesia (given medicine to put them into a deep sleep so they don’t feel pain). The marrow cells are …

What are my odds of donating stem cells?

You will donate your stem cells in one of two ways. Most people donate through a process called peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC). Your blood will be passed through a small tube into a machine that collects the stem cells, and then returns the rest of the blood to the body. Around 10% of donations are given as bone marrow.

Is it painful to donate stem cells?

What is the procedure for donating stem cells?

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Does it hurt to donate stem cell?

This process is often called bone marrow harvest. It's done in an operating room, while the donor is under general anesthesia (given medicine to put them into a deep sleep so they don't feel pain).Aug 4, 2020

Who Cannot donate stem cells?

If you have serious kidney problems such as polycystic kidney disease and are over 40 years old, or chronic glomerulonephritis (any age), you will not be able to donate. If you have had a kidney removed due to disease, you may not be able to donate.

What are the requirements to be a stem cell donor?

Patients need donors between the ages of 18 and 60 who meet health guidelines and are willing to donate to any patient in need.

How long does it take to recover from stem cell donation?

Recovery time depends on the type of transplant: Donated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplant can take 2-3 weeks. Cord blood engraftment can take 3-5 weeks. Self-donated stem cell transplant (autologous) takes about 10 days for recovery.

How do I donate stem cells?

How do I donate my cells? You will donate your stem cells in one of two ways. Most people donate through a process called peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC). Your blood will be passed through a small tube into a machine that collects the stem cells, and then returns the rest of the blood to the body.

Why do you have to be tested first for a sibling transplant?

Sibling transplant – You will normally be tested first because a fully matched sibling (brother or sister) donor is the preferred option for patients. Siblings are the people most likely to be a perfect match for their brother or sister because they share the same parents. You have a 25% chance of being a perfect match.

What is it called when a family member is a half match?

Haploidentical transplant – In certain situations, your relative’s transplant team may consider using stem cells from a family member that’s a half match. This is called a haploidentical transplant. Siblings have a 50% chance of being a half match, while parents are always a half match for their children, and vice versa.

What age do you have to be to donate stem cells?

People ages 45 to 60 are asked to pay a fee to join; age 60 is the upper limit for donors. If you're identified as a match for someone who needs a transplant, the costs related to collecting stem cells for donation will be paid by that person or by his or her health insurance.

Where do you put a catheter for a donation?

If the veins in your arms are too small or have thin walls, you may need to have a catheter put in a larger vein in your neck, chest or groin.

What are the two types of stem cells?

There are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic and bone marrow stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are studied in therapeutic cloning and other types of research. Bone marrow stem cells are formed and mature in the bone marrow and are then released into the bloodstream. This type of stem cell is used in the treatment of cancers.

Why do you need a close match for a stem cell transplant?

This test helps match donors and recipients. A close match increases the chances that the transplant will be a success. If you sign up with a donor registry, you may or may not be matched with someone who needs a blood stem cell transplant.

How long does it take for bone marrow to heal?

You can take a pain reliever for the discomfort. You'll likely be able to get back to your normal routine within a couple of days, but it may take a couple of weeks before you feel fully recovered.

How long does it take to feel sore after bone marrow transplant?

After the surgery, you might feel tired or weak and have trouble walking for a few days. The area where the bone marrow was taken out might feel sore for a few days.

What is the best treatment for leukemia?

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia or lymphoma, for which a stem cell transplant is the best or the only treatment. Donated blood stem cells are needed for these transplants.

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Requirements For Stem Cell Donation

  • To donate stem cells to a family member or stranger, you should be: 1. Between the ages of 18 and 44 (donors up to age 60 will be considered, but transplants from younger donors are more successful) 2. A compatible human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type with the recipient 3. In excellent medical and psychological health
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Exclusions For Stem Cell Donation

  • You cannot donate stem cells if you have: 1. Certain infectious diseases, such as hepatitis or HIV 2. Cancer 3. Severe arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis 4. Severe breathing problems, including asthma, sleep apnea or emphysema 5. Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, Crohn’s disease or psoriasis 6. Chronic back, neck or hip problems 7. Insulin-dependent diabetes 8. Heart disease 9…
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Medical Tests For Stem Cell Donation

  • You must complete a series of medical tests before you can donate stem cells: 1. Physical examination, including review of past medical history 2. Mental health assessment 3. Blood and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing 4. Blood screens for transmittable viruses, such as hepatitis and HIV 5. Urinalysis 6. Heart tests, such as electrocardiogram (EKG) 7. Chest X-rays
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Overview

  • If you are planning to donate stem cells, you have agreed to allow doctors to draw bone marrow stem cells from either your blood or bone marrow for transplantation. There are two broad types of stem cells: embryonic and bone marrow stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are studied in therapeutic cloning and other types of research. Bone marrow stem cells are formed and matur…
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Why It's Done

  • Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia or lymphoma, for which a stem cell transplant is the best or the only treatment. Donated blood stem cells are needed for these transplants. You might be considering donating blood or bone marrow because someone in your family needs a stem cell transplant and doctors think yo…
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Risks

  • Bone marrow donation
    Bone marrow stem cells are collected from the posterior section of the pelvic bone under general anesthesia. The most serious risk associated with donating bone marrow involves the use and effects of anesthesia during surgery. After the surgery, you might feel tired or weak and have tro…
  • Peripheral blood stem cell donation
    The risks of this type of stem cell donation are minimal. Before the donation, you'll get injections of a medicine that increases the number of stem cells in your blood. This medicine can cause side effects, such as bone pain, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. These usuall…
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How You Prepare

  • If you want to donate stem cells, you can talk to your doctor or contact the National Marrow Donor Program, a federally funded nonprofit organization that keeps a database of volunteers who are willing to donate. If you decide to donate, the process and possible risks of donating will be explained to you. You will then be asked to sign a consent form. You can choose to sign or not. …
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What You Can Expect

  • Bone marrow donation
    Collecting stem cells from bone marrow is a type of surgery and is done in the operating room. You'll be given an anesthetic for the procedure. Needles will be inserted through the skin and into the bone to draw the marrow out of the bone. This process usually takes one to two hours. Afte…
  • Peripheral blood stem cell donation
    If blood stem cells are going to be collected directly from your blood, you'll be given injections of a medication to stimulate the production of blood stem cells so that more of them are circulating in your bloodstream. The medication is usually started several days before you're going to donate. …
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Results

  • Recovery times vary depending on the individual and type of donation. But most blood stem cell donors are able to return to their usual activities within a few days to a week after donation.
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Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiesof tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.
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