An experience report: what it is like to donate stem cells

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People develop blood cancer every day. Almost everyone knows that. Almost everyone also knows that a stem cell or bone marrow donation can be the last rescue for many blood cancer patients. And yet far too few people can still be registered as potential donors.

For a long time I was too lazy or too comfortable or just too comfortable with myself to think about it. But when a child in the kindergarten of my son suffered blood cancer, that touched me. Suddenly the cancer was so real and close that it seemed much more threatening to me. SoI registered with the DKMS as a bone marrow donor.

Nothing happened for almost five years. And then I got a call: “You can be considered as a stem cell donor. Are you still ready to donate? "

Health questionnaires and confirmation typing

Sure, I was ready for it. Without ifs and but and preferably immediately. After all, that's why I signed up. But it didn't work that quickly. Because I not only had to give my consent to the donation, but of course also be able to be physically able.

Therefore, a first medical check followed on the phone via questionnaire and the answering of many questions about allergies, intolerances, earlier ops and and and.

And I learned that I would not do any bone marrow donation in the actual sense. I would donate stem cells and they were "simply" filtered out of the blood (the peripheral stem cell donation) and not, as I thought first, about a bone marks including surgery. I fell a stone from the heart, because I really had respect for an operation.

After this first bureaucratic act by phone, I had to send an end to a blood sample in the next step so that I could finally confirm that I was actually an option for a patient as a donor.

For the so-called confirmation typing, I was sent a blood sampling set with which I simply marched to my family doctor. It removed the blood, I sent it away and done.

Already on the phone I was told that confirmation typing takes time. It could take up to 12 weeks for someone to contact me again. I shouldn't worry if it would be quiet for a while.

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And then he came, the call

The call I had been waiting for before the end of the 12 weeks. My tissue characteristics fit. I would be a donor for a blood cancer patient. I would be able to save life, everything should run smoothly.

Knowing that felt damn good and also a little scary. Because you can imagine that the patient - whoever he or she may be - will put all hope in this donation.

Before the donation, there were two things to do. Two weeks before the withdrawal, I was checked from head to toe during a physical examination. And five days before the donation, I had to do the hormone G-CSF (Granulocyte colony stimulating factor) Spraying that activated my stem cells and led them to go into my blood from the bone marrow.

I decided to inject myself instead of letting someone come. This was initially a huge overcoming, but no problem already on day two.

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The day of the donation

I thought I was excited and nervous and anxious on the day of the donation. In fact, I was calm and relaxed, also thanks to the employees in my withdrawal clinic. In order to filter the stem cells from my blood, I was connected to a cell separator.

That meant laying access to the right arm and one on the left. The blood was out on the left arm and pumped into the cell separator. The filtered blood was led back into my body via access on the right arm.

I didn't have to do more and after about 3.5 hours I was already finished. The stem cells were born in and would be with the recipient, as one likes to arrive, and hopefully help him or her to help him get well.

Now it's time to wait

And then it was time to wait. I could ask if my stem cells could help. Because only 6–8 weeks after the transplantation of the stem cells it can be seen whether the body of the recipient has accepted them. And even then the person is not healed or is considered healthy, because a relapse or other complications can continue to occur.

Reading tip:

Only two years after a successful donation can you find out who you donated exactly. Within this period, it can be increased by setbacks for blood cancer patients and another donation may be required.

In order for a donor*to decide in an impartial manner whether he or she donates something again, but also so that the recipient can not be put under financially, for example, donors and recipients must be so long anonymous remain.

After all, I already know that my stem cells left the EU. They went to the USA and were intended for an adult man. A few months after the donation, I learned that his body was well received by the stem cells. At the time, he was not yet healed, but he was on a very good way, as it was said.

And who knows, maybe a letter will reach me at some point and I will find out a little more. But even if not, my stem cell donation was an incredible experience that still makes me proud today.

-> All information about the stem cell donation

If you now become a donor and want to help another person to get well again, then make yourself on thePage of the DKMSSmart and register.

You have already donated and want to know if your recipient is doing well?
After the so -called anonymity period, which usually lasts two years, there is the possibility in some countries that both, i.e. recipients and donors, get to know each other personally. However, this does not apply to all countries. The prerequisite is, of course, that both sides want that. You can find more about this here too: "Contact between donor and patient„.

Important NOTE:This article only serves the information and does not replace a medical diagnosis. If uncertainties, urgent questions or acute complaints arise, you should contact your doctor or ask for advice in the pharmacy. Medical on -call duty can be reached via nationwide number 116117.