Stem cell donation.

[SnotOnMyWatch]

Hi,

I was just wondering if there were any stem cell donors out there?

I’m hoping to be a stem cell donor, I have ordered the kit to be sent to my home. I really want to do this, I just wondered what the process of donating stem cells is like?

Can I please bump?

My brother donated just over two years ago. He had only been on the list for a few months when called. As it is over 2 years now he has now been in touch with his receiver - she is still alive. She had two young children when she was diagnosed so they still have their mummy as a result.

He had various tests, was given a series of injections over a number of days the had to go to London for the donation. It was like donating blood but took many hours. All expenses were covered.

They tend to prefer male donors to female if possible - they are generally bigger so they can get more plus no pregnancy changes to the body causing possible issues.

Thank you Mumoftwoinprimary
I’m female, so I hope they will accept my stem cells. I’m not pregnant nor planning to get pregnant, so hopefully I should be a good donor.

It does seem like it will take a while, but I’m prepared/happy for that. As long as I get the chance to help somebody.
Can I ask if it is something your brother would recommend?

As I said, I’m so happy to do it to help somebody, but I’m a little scared about the process.

I signed to the register because I saw an advert about a young girl who needed stem cells, they could mean the difference.xxx

Chances are you won’t be picked. I have been on the register for nearly 20 years now and never needed.

But by being on the register it means that if someone does need your stem cells / bone marrow then they can find you.

Db is glad he did it. At the time it was a bit of a hassle (he and his partner had a very small child so sorting that was hard) and very dull (takes ages) but he is very glad he did it. As I said above the woman he donated to had two little children (one the same age as my nephew) and they get to grow up with their mum now.

The actual process (he sent me a photo) is similar to giving blood.

One interesting thing is that my brother is extremely squeamish. The kid that passes out 3 minutes into biology lesson - that is him. But he was fine with doing this.

Thank you so much Mumoftwoinprimary that sounds great. Thank you for putting my mind at ease I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but you have made me relax with what you have said.
Xxx

I've just registered with DKMS. Registering was easy and the swab test is, (as a teacher who has finished my third iso with symptoms ) nothing remotely as invasive as the covid test! Just a wee cheek rub

As a white British female I have never been called up, and I have been on the register for around 15 years.

As a PP said, it's quite unlikely you'll be compatible (but if you are, utterly life changing for someone)

Thank you. My best friend's son had a stem cell transplant, he was only 20 and his parents had started planning his funeral. They finally found a match and after a year of gruelling treatment he's living a near normal life. I was gutted I couldn't register (lupus), so I am so grateful when I hear of others doing so. What his parents went through I wouldn't wish on anyone, so the difference you could make is phenomenal. :)

A stem cell transplant saved my best friends life, 5 years on she's defied all the odds and is still here, happy and healthy.
After watching her go through over year of hellish treatments, I tried to register for blood, platelet and stem cell donation but was gutted to be declined for all 3!

I just registered but got an email to say they were only taking male swabs at the moment

@mrssunshinexxx and anyone else that wants to join the register - if you are a blood donor you can ask at your next donation and they will take one tiny extra vial of blood. You only have to join one register, and they allow you to join if you are a bit older (compared the others).

@Dillydallyingthrough they won't take my blood anymore at blood giving because I fainted and had a fit

It really is a great thing to do. My mum is only alive today because of a stem cell donation (she had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). There was only one match in the world for her, which was a lady in America.
God bless all donors 🙏

I was the recipient of a transplant some years ago. Well done for joining the register

Donating is relatively simple and you quickly recover receiving the cells is literally life saving. So yes sign up and go from there.

I registered over 10 years ago, and have never been contacted. I do give blood regularly, though.

@mrssunshinexxx I'm sorry to hear that, I hope you are ok now? Just thought it may be a quicker route to join. If this was recent, you may want to contact the org you are planning to register with. They do quite a detailed health check before you can donate (if you are matched) and the donation process is similar to giving blood now.

@Dillydallyingthrough it was 2 years ago.. x