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Learn the
facts about Stem cell Donation to help you
make an informed decision about joining the
Marrow Donor Registry (India).
Myth: Stem cell
Donation involves a lengthy recovery
process.
Fact: Due to taking the drug
filgrastim, PBSC Donors may have symptoms such
as bone or muscle pain or fatigue in the five
days leading up to donation. These symptoms
nearly always disappear one or two days after
donating, and the Donor is back to normal.
Stem cell Donors can expect to feel fatigue, some
soreness or pressure in their lower back and
perhaps some discomfort walking. Stem cell Donors
can expect to be back to work, school and other
activities within one to seven days. The average
time for all symptoms to disappear is 21
days. |
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| Myth: Donating Stem cells
is dangerous and weakens the Donor. |
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| Fact: Though
no medical procedure is without risk, there are
rarely any long-term effects from donating. Only
five percent or less of a Donor's Stem cells are
needed to save a life. After donation, the body
replaces the donated Stem cells within four to six
weeks. The MDR(I) screens all Donors carefully
before they donate to ensure they are healthy
and the procedure is safe for them. The MDR(I)
also educates Donors, answers questions every
step of the way and follows up with Donors after
donation. |
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| Myth: Pieces of bone are
removed from the Donor. |
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Fact: Pieces
of bone are not removed from the Donor in either
type of donation.
A PBSC donation
involves taking the drug G-CSF for five
days leading up to donation in order to increase
the Donor's needed blood-forming cells. On the
fifth day, blood is taken from the Donor through
one arm, passed through disposable kit installed on a machine that separates
out the blood-forming cells, and returned
through the Donor's other arm.
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| Myth: The Stem cells
Donation procedure is painful. |
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| Fact:
Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) donation is painless, non surgical, outpatient
procedure involving only a needle in the arm vein. Similar to platelet donation |
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| Myth: All Stem cells
Donations involve surgery. |
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| Fact: The
majority of donations do not involve surgery.
The Patient's doctor most commonly requests a
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation,
which is non-surgical and outpatient. If Marrow
is requested, it is a surgical procedure,
usually inpatient. |
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| Myth: Donors have to pay
for the donation procedure. |
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| Fact: Donors
never pay for donating. All medical costs are
paid by the patient's medical insurance or by
the patient, sometimes with MDR(I) assistance.
The MDR(I) reimburses Donors for travel costs,
and may reimburse other costs on a case-by-case
basis. |
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