|
Marrow Donation
|
|
A Matter Of Survival
For many of the 30,000 patients who will be diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia and 60 other fatal diseases this year,
the only chance for survival is a Marrow or Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) transplant from a compatible donor. We facilitate
more than 200 such transplants each year, and we are proud to be affiliated with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, in good health and no more than 25% over your ideal body weight, we hope that you join
the more than 31,000 Tampa Bay area volunteers who have already registered for this lifesaving program.
Your gift is particularly important if your heritage is African-American, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islands or Alaskan/Native American.
We inherit our HLA-typing or antigens in the same way that gives us a skin color, eye color and hair color. And the most likely HLA match
for a critically ill patient probably comes from the same ethnic group.
Please help us assure that every patient has an equal chance to find a donor.
|
What You Should Know
|
|
What is marrow?
Marrow makes blood stem cells, which are produced inside the larger bones and can be donated to patients with fatal
diseases. Donating marrow or Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) will not affect your health, and the marrow PBSC will
replace itself in just a few weeks.
If I donate marrow (PBSC), who covers my expenses?
All medical expenses relating to the transplant are covered through the NMDP. Although many employers offer paid time
off to donate marrow/blood stem cells, some donors have found it necessary to take unpaid time off from work or use
personal vacation time, usually only one or two days.
How Do I Volunteer To Become A Marrow/PBSC Donor?
First, complete the marrow registration form. One of our 12 testing laboratories will conduct a simple
blood test to determine your tissue type and enter it under a code number in the NMDP Registry.
If you are identified as a potential match, additional blood samples may be requested for confirmatory testing. If the
match is compatible, you will attend an information session with an FBS medical staff member so you can make an informed
decision about donating your marrow or PBSC.
You will receive a complete health examination at no cost to you and to protect your health and safety.
There are two types of donations:
-
For a marrow donation, the blood stem cells are collected from the hip bone with a syringe using regional or
general anesthesia. One to two units of your own blood (autogolous blood) bay be requested prior to your donation.
These units will be returned to you immediately after the marrow collection.
-
For a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, you will be given Filgatrim, a medication that increases the
number of blood stem cells in the blood stream, for a period of four to five days prior to the PBSC collection.
PBSC are donated from the arm through a process called apheresis. This collection is done on-site at FBS.
The donated marrow PBSC will be hand carried to the transplant center immediately and transfused into the waiting patient.
Your recovery time will depend on the type of donation, but your body will completely replace the donated marrow PBSC within
weeks.
More Information
If you would like to know more, please call (800) 68-BLOOD Ext. 2110.
|
|