Anyone ever donated bone marrow or stem cells? What's it like?

[plotch]

I've been identified as a potential match for a patient who needs stem cells or bone marrow. I'd completely forgotten that I signed myself up many years ago. I have to admit, it's slightly freaked me out a bit, I wasn't expecting it, and my initial thought was that I didn't want to. But then I came to my senses a bit. I signed up because someone close to me needed (and got) a transplant. Sadly it didn't work, but I remember being relieved that the option was there for them. And if it was one of my children who needed it, I'd be desperate for a donor.

Has anybody done it? What was it like? Or were you contacted and then turned down? I know there's loads of checks they do. I've had a number of health issues since I signed up which may or may not cause them to say no, I have no idea. What was the process like? I'm going to ring them on my day off later this week, but I know nobody who has donated, so curious if anyone here has.

I haven't but I know a recipient of a bone marrow transplant. He had a very, very rare condition and was at death's door so many times as a child. He and his family went through a really traumatic time. To see how his life has been turned around since his transplant is astounding. He's an adult now and he and his family are living a life that was truly unimaginable 10 years ago. If you're a match and you feel that you can do it, please do go for it.

It's stories like this that absolutely make me want to do it. Because it didn't work for the person who I knew, and it was a horribly traumatic time, I think the thought of it is bringing up some quite painful memories that I'd buried a bit, and so my immediate thought was dread.

I'm so glad the person you know is now living a good life. As I say, my only experience has been very negative, and so it's great to see that it can work.

I was the recipient of a stem cell transplant. I'm very lucky so a massive Thankyou for getting this far

My brother tried to be mine but wasn't a match.

I went through the first few blood tests to match with someone on the donor list years ago but wasn’t a match 😢

Good luck 😍

I haven't but am registered as a donor, have been for about 10 years. I am sure it won't be an easy thing to do, but you will be doing such an amazing, life changing thing if you do.
Good luck and do share on here as I'm really interested to know how it all works.

I know of two people who have done it for siblings. I don't know either of them very closely, but know them socially. Both were keen to do it, as obviously it was for a family member, but it didn't seem difficult in either case. Both were relatively short procedures (went in for a few hours I think) and caused them no issues afterwards. In one case it worked, and in the other case, sadly not. I signed up for the register after hearing of a similar case earlier, and I would be happy to do it if I had the chance. I donate blood regularly, and am glad that I can, so this would be similar in my mind. I don't know how likely it is that further health issues would cause a problem to you and/or to the quality of the transplant. I am sure that they err on the side of caution for the donor, so they wouldn't accept you if there were any doubts. In one of the two cases that I know, the brother was accepted over the sister because her having been pregnant made a different to the potential of rejection, so his marrow was considered to be a slightly better match. So it could be that they will find someone a better match than you. But it would be such a beautiful gift to someone if you were able to do it and it felt right for you.

Theres a lot of tests and matching before that may mean don't actually proceed (my ex and brother both did all the initial tests then weren't proceeded with)

Have a look on Antony nolans website there's lots of info. You have injections to increase cwll production then 2 methods of harvest either v quickly GA where take the blood from your hip bone, or the more common option is a bit like dialysis wherebloid is taken from your arm, the bits they want removed and the rest returned.

My ex got called up about 9y ago and was told would be a couple of days trip to the centre, our local was London but they put you in hotel and cover expenses etc

Its truely life changing if you get the chance :)

I'll definitely be calling them later this week and starting the ball rolling. I've been reading up on it today, so it looks like the first stage is a lot of questions. The email tells me to have certain information handy, and to make the call in a private place, so I suppose it'll be a medical history kind of chat.

I've looked at the processes they use. One looks infinitely easier than the other, but I suppose that's discussed as and when you get closer to it.

It is an amazing thing to do. I suppose my feelings are more apprehension than anything else. And the bad memories. Nobody wants to do it, it's not a pleasant process. But if it does some good, it'll be so worth it.

I'll drop an update on here at each stage. You never know, might encourage a few other people to sign up!

I would be interested in knowing how u gor on.

I'm another poster who can't tell you about the procedure itself

But I have an in-law who was a recipient. It saved his life, and now 8 years on, he's still going strong.

I'll be following your story, and I hope it goes well

Well, I had my medical chat, and I'm unable to continue with the process. Their decision, not mine. I have a couple of health problems which, for the moment at least, rule me out. I've agreed to stay on the register, so if I come up as a possible match in the future, and circumstances have changed, I might be more able to go ahead. I don't feel happy or unhappy or relieved, or anything. I just hope that there are other options for the patient concerned, and they can find somebody suitable.

If anyone is feeling inspired to sign themselves up, details are here:
www.bbmr.co.uk/