Your stem cell donation questions answered
How stem cell donation works
How does donating my stem cells work?
Are you thinking about donating stem cells or bone marrow? The first thing you need to know is that 90% of stem cell donations do not require surgery. Rather, the stem cells are collected from the donor’s bloodstream – in a process that looks very similar to giving blood.
Only around 10% of donations nowadays are done via bone marrow – but this process isn’t as daunting as many people think. Compared to what people think when they hear “bone marrow harvest”, the reality of bone marrow donation is surprisingly simple. The procedure only takes around 30 minutes and bone marrow is collected from the pelvis via two small, superficial incisions.
Is stem cell donation safe?
Is it safe for me to donate my stem cells?
Both methods of stem cell donation are very safe and highly regulated. Once a potential donor is matched with a patient, there are strict guidelines in place to ensure the donor is safe and eligible to donate their stem cells.
Put simply: if it is not safe for you to donate stem cells, you won’t be asked to.
Is stem cell donation painful?
Blood stem cell donation (also known as PBSC or Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donation) is not typically painful. Donors usually report minimal discomfort, similar to that of a blood test.
Is bone marrow donation painful?
For bone marrow donation, the procedure itself is not painful as the donor will be under general anaesthesia. It is common, however, for the donor to experience some mild to moderate soreness, aching or stiffness for a few days to a couple of weeks afterwards.
Why do some people donate via blood and others via bone marrow?
The method of donation will be chosen by the doctor based on the needs of the patient. For example, bone marrow donation is often favoured for patients who are small children due to the high concentration of stem cells.
How long does it take to recover from stem cell donation?
Recovery after donating stem cells via PBSC
Most donors feel well enough to return to work, study, or other normal activities within 24–48 hours, although some choose to rest for an extra day.
Recovery after bone marrow donation
Most donors return to their usual routine within a few days to a week, although complete recovery can take two to three weeks for some people. The body naturally replaces the donated bone marrow within a few weeks.
Are there any long-term side effects after donating stem cells?
No, DKMS has facilitated over 135,000 stem cell donations over the last 35 years, and our medical teams have found no evidence of any long-term side effects to stem cell donations.
Donors typically recover within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the method, and any stem cells or bone marrow lost in the donation process are naturally replenished by the body.
Joining the stem cell register
Why should I join the stem cell register?
Joining the stem cell register is genuinely one of the most rewarding ways to help someone in need. Every person who joins increases the chances for patients battling facing blood cancers and blood disorders who are seeking their lifesaving match.
Do I have to sign up to the stem cell register?
The decision to sign up to the stem cell register is yours and yours alone, we are just here to make sure it is an informed one. Even if you decide not to sign up, our mission is to educate as many people as possible on the realities of stem cell donation, and show them how easy it is to change someone’s life.
Is it difficult to join the register?
Joining the stem cell register is easy. All you need to do is order a free swab kit, swab your cheeks and mouth and return the kit to us, using the freepost envelope.
Once we receive your swabs, you will be anonymously added to the stem cell register to become part of a pool of potential lifesavers.
Can I be removed from the register?
Of course. If you ever change your mind or your circumstances change, you can ask us to remove you from the stem cell register at any time.
Otherwise, you will remain on there until your 61st birthday.
