who can donate stem cells

by Elias Emard 5 min read

Healthy adults ages 18 to 60 can donate stem cells. Children may be donors for themselves or a brother or sister. In some cases, people who are older than 60 can donate. If you wish to be a stem cell donor, a blood sample is taken from you and tested for tissue type.

What are the risks of donating stem cells?

Mar 02, 2020 · Who Can Donate Stem Cells? In general, you need to be between the ages of 18 and 44 and meet several specific health guidelines. In most cases, however, it’s enough to be in generally good health, free of disease and not taking any long-term medication for serious medical conditions. In detail, here are the rules for donors:

How often Am I allowed to donate stem cells?

Donating Stem Cells and Bone Marrow People usually volunteer to donate stem cells for an allogeneic transplant either because they have a loved one or friend who needs a match or because they want to help people. Some people give their stem cells so they can get them back later if they need an autologous transplant.

What are my odds of donating stem cells?

Donating stem cells or bone marrow to a relative. A brother or sister is most likely to be a match. There is a 1 in 4 chance of your cells matching. This is called a matched related donor (MRD) transplant. Anyone else in the family is unlikely to match. This can be very frustrating for relatives who are keen to help.

Who can donate bone marrow or stem cells?

Donating stem cells or bone marrow to a relative. A brother or sister is most likely to be a match. There is a 1 in 4 chance of your cells matching. This is called a matched related donor (MRD) transplant. Anyone else in the family is unlikely to match. This can be very frustrating for relatives who are keen to help.

image

Where are stem cells collected?

The stem cells are collected from the bloodstream or the bone marrow. People have a transplant either: using their own stem cells (autologous transplant) or using the stem cells from a matching donor (allogeneic transplant)

How to be a donor?

To be a donor you need to have stem cells that match the person you are donating to. To find this out, you have a blood test to look at HLA typing or tissue typing. Staff in the laboratory look at the surface of your blood cells. They compare them to the surface of the blood cells of the person needing a transplant.

Why do we need a donor?

Why donors are needed. A stem cell or bone marrow transplant is an important treatment for some people with types of blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. A transplant allows you to have high doses of chemotherapy and other treatments. The stem cells are collected from the bloodstream or the bone marrow.

How old do you have to be to register with Anthony Nolan?

You must be aged between 16 and 30 to register with Anthony Nolan. You have a cheek swab to test for tissue typing. Your details are kept on the register until you are 60.

Can you donate to someone else?

Being a donor for someone else. Even if you can't donate to your relative , you might be able to become a donor for someone else. You can do this by contacting one of the UK registers. There are different donor registers in the UK.

Is a brother or sister a match?

A brother or sister is most likely to be a match. There is a 1 in 4 chance of your cells matching. This is called a matched related donor (MRD) transplant. Anyone else in the family is unlikely to match. This can be very frustrating for relatives who are keen to help.

How to be a donor?

To be a donor you need to have stem cells that match the person you are donating to. To find this out, you have a blood test to look at HLA typing or tissue typing. Staff in the laboratory look at the surface of your blood cells. They compare them to the surface of the blood cells of the person needing a transplant.

What is the phone number for cancer research?

For support and information, you can call the Cancer Research UK information nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

How old do you have to be to register with Anthony Nolan?

You must be aged between 16 and 30 to register with Anthony Nolan. You have a cheek swab to test for tissue typing. Your details are kept on the register until you are 60.

Can you donate to someone else if you can't donate?

Even if you can't donate to your relative, you might be able to become a donor for someone else. You can do this by contacting one of the UK registers. There are different donor registers in the UK. These work with each other and with international registers to match donors with people who need stem cells.

Is a brother or sister a match?

A brother or sister is most likely to be a match. There is a 1 in 4 chance of your cells matching. This is called a matched related donor (MRD) transplant. Anyone else in the family is unlikely to match. This can be very frustrating for relatives who are keen to help.

What is peripheral blood stem cell donation?

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is HLA test?

HLAs are proteins found in most cells in your body. 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 to get stem cells out of bone?

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.

When can I donate stem cells?

If you’re healthy and between age 18 and 60, you can donate blood stem cells. It’s best when the donor and the receiving patient’s tissue type or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match. It’s easier to find a match in the same family or in the same racial or ethnic group.

How long after death can you donate corneas?

Doctors can remove and store corneas several hours after death. They can do the corneal transplant three to five days after donation. . Donated tissues enhance the quality of life for the people who receive them.

Why do corneas get damaged?

Damaged corneas can result from eye disease, injury, or birth defects. More than 97% of all corneal transplants restore the receiving patient’s vision. Corneal donors don't have to "match" receiving patients like organ donors do. Donors are universal. Age, eye color, and the quality of your eyesight don’t matter.

What tissue is used to make blood cells?

Bone marrow: This soft tissue is inside your bones. It produces many blood cells. Doctors remove it to get stem cells. Cord blood stem cells: The blood in the cord that connects a newborn to the mother during pregnancy has high levels of blood stem cells. Doctors can collect and store these in freezers for a long time.

How many lives can you save by giving organs?

The list of organs and tissues that you can donate continues to grow. You can save up to eight lives and improve over 75 more. Most often, you donate organs once you’ve died. You can donate some organs while you’re alive.

Can you donate corneas?

You can donate your cornea when you sign up as an organ, eye, and tissue donor. This lets you leave behind the gift of sight. In 2018, doctors performed over 85,000 corneal transplants. The cornea is the clear part of the eye over the iris and pupil. Damaged corneas can result from eye disease, injury, or birth defects.

image

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
See more on henryford.com

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…
See more on henryford.com

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
See more on henryford.com