If you would like to help a sick loved one with his or her treatment, get to know the stem cell donation process. Make sure you know what you’re entering before making that decision. Know that by donating your stem cells may help them get a chance at a healthier life.
A Guide To Stem Cell Donation Process
In this article:
- Stem Cell Donation
- Where Might Physicians Use Donated Stem Cells?
- What Is Involved In a Stem Cell Donation?
- Stem Cell Donation Risks
- The Many Benefits of Stem Cell Donation
Stem Cell Donation
With recent advances in stem cell medicine, we now have access to rich sources of these almost magical structures. Stem cells are those which have the ability to transform into a wide variety of other cells. That means they can replace tissues in the body that can’t replace themselves through the stem cell donation process. Think bone marrow, organs, nerves and others.
Stem cell donation is a life-saving proposition because it enables those who need new tissues to get them. Not only can patients receive stem cells from others, they can actually “donate” to themselves. That simply involves harvesting cells before a procedure and then getting them back afterward.
However, this doesn’t always work. If the patient has cancer, for instance, there exists a danger of reintroducing cancer cells after removing them. That’s counterproductive. In that case, the patient would do better to get stem cells from someone else.
If you’re considering becoming that “someone else,” here’s what you need to know about the stem cell donation process.
Where Might Physicians Use Donated Stem Cells?
A lot of people want to know “Where are stem cells used?” before they jump on board the donation train, and that’s perfectly reasonable. The short answer is many places. The longer answer is that stem cells can transform into a wide variety of bodily structures. New research suggests, for example, that bone marrow stem cells may not only provide new bone tissue but can help rebuild the liver and muscles as well.
Umbilical cord stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells can also help replace various structures and fight diseases of the blood, such as cancers and autoimmune disorders.
Moreover, it seems that all stem cell types (discussed below) are useful for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Unfortunately, chemo kills off good cells as well as the malignant cells the chemicals actually target. Stem cells, though, can help make up for the damage.
These aren’t the only uses, but they represent some of the main ones out there today.
What Is Involved In a Stem Cell Donation?
Stem cell donation procedures are fairly straightforward, explains the American Cancer Society. There are three types of useful stem cells. Doctors collect them in different ways. These include:
- Bone marrow donation: This involves the patient undergoing anesthesia. Physicians then remove marrow from the back of the pelvis. It usually takes several hours to remove enough marrow for useful transfer. Afterward, the patient rests as usual in a recovery room. They may experience soreness for 2-3 days. Full recovery of normal function may take 2-3 weeks.
- Peripheral blood cells: This involves harvesting stem cells from blood. Typically, blood has lower than useful levels of such cells. As such, doctors give an injection to the donor for several days during the harvest. The shot helps the bones make and release lots of stem cells into the blood. After each shot, they remove blood from the donor.
- Umbilical cord blood: This “procedure” is the easiest because it simply involves donating the umbilical cord after birth. You might donate it to a blood bank, or you could simply give the hospital permission to remove and keep it after birth.
For obvious reasons, bone marrow donation is the most intensive. While each procedure contains a few risks, there aren’t many. Let’s look at those now.
Stem Cell Donation Risks
Many people wonder “Is it painful to donate stem cells?” and “What are the risks of this decision? Do I need to worry?”
The good news is there are very few risks associated with donation. The few that exist include:
- Pain or infection at the blood draw site
- Blood clots from a blood draw
- Pain or infection after surgery
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Pain in the hip from marrow draws
However, it’s important to note that none of these is a serious risk. Even donation bone marrow pain is fairly mild. Doctors suggest over-the-counter medications to mitigate it. Tylenol and Advil should be enough. After a few days, it will go away entirely. Giving away your marrow is no risk either because it regenerates, explains Héma-Québec.
Here’s another “risk” to consider. When you undergo donation, you almost never receive stem cell donation pay. That means you do it for free. For family and friends, this might be worth it. For a stranger, some people might balk. Plus, that means your genetic information is out in the world. This makes some people uncomfortable. That’s especially true when it’s their baby’s cord blood in question.
Lastly, you may have to travel to donate. That’s not covered by hospitals or insurance. Think through these factors before you decide to go ahead.
The truth is, though, the risks of stem cell transplant side effects are much higher to the recipient than to the donor. They’re not simply undergoing a procedure to remove some tissue. They are actually putting the cells inside their own bodies. The body could reject those cells. Or the cells from the donor can “turn on” the host, attacking him or her. Both outcomes can be dangerous, though usually are curable.
The Many Benefits of Stem Cell Donation
Most people find the benefits of donation outweigh the costs. When you donate stem cells, you’re usually helping someone desperately in need. That’s enough of a reason right there for most. If not, you may not be right for donation, and that’s okay.
Another benefit is more personal. You can donate your stem cells to yourself, essentially, having them drawn and banked against a later day when you might need them. Your family might also use them if you’re a match.
Ditto with your baby’s cord blood. It might be the lifesaver you’re looking for at a later date, either for the baby, for you, or for other family members. Family members always have a greater chance of making a match. So for that reason, many people decide to harvest and keep some stem cells “on hand.”
If you’re interested in knowing how other people went through the stem cell donation process, watch Mike G’s experience here.
At the end of the day, stem cell donation is a very personal decision. Talk it through with friends, family, your doctor, and trusted advisors before moving forward. Make sure you’re aware of the risks. Weigh them carefully and you have a greater chance of making the right decision.
Share your experience if you’re going through the stem cell donation process today.