When a patient is found compatible with the tissue group of the person registered in the stem cell donor pool, the registered person is contacted. If volunteering continues, stem cells are collected. People who are unaware of how stem cells are collected often give up on becoming donors during this period. For this reason, we recommend that you read what we have written below carefully.
Although the media tries to provide as much information as possible about both becoming a stem cell donor and giving stem cells after becoming a donor, there are still some questions in the minds of most donors. And we regret to see that people who cannot get clear answers to these questions have given up on donating.
For this reason, in this article, we will briefly explain how the stem cell donation process is done, whether it will hurt, whether there are any complications or side effects, in the form of frequently asked questions. we will try. We recommend that you read the article until the end.
If you wish, let's start with stem cells and stem cell transplantation.
What is a stem cell?
Stem cells; They are cells that have the capacity and potential to renew themselves, form themselves, proliferate, differentiate and transform into other cells. For the correct definition of a stem cell, two features must be present. These are:
Self-renewal,
Infinite renewal capacity.
Hematopoietic stem cells, that is, “bone” marrow stem cells are known as multipotent stem cells. They can only produce cells that are very closely related to their own cell group. For example, when bone marrow stem cells are transplanted to the patient, they produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are clotting cells.
What is Stem Cell Transplantation?
By completely eliminating the patient's bone marrow, It is a procedure used in the treatment of many benign and malignant diseases, thanks to the settlement and proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells taken from a tissue group compatible and completely healthy person and given to the patient.
Today, stem cell transplantation is the most common, known as hematological cancers. It is used in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. of these It is also used in the treatment of various organ cancers, bone marrow failure diseases (aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome), hereditary (congenital) anemias, immune system deficiencies and hereditary metabolic diseases.
Who is a Stem Cell Donor? Possible?
Thanks to TÜRKÖK (Turkish Stem Cell Coordination Center), the number of stem cell donors in our country has exceeded 300 thousand with current figures. TÜRKÖK accepts any healthy person who is between 18 and 50 years old and weighs at least 50 kg as a stem cell donor. Candidates who want to become volunteer stem cell donors must not have immune system diseases and infectious diseases.
How to become a Stem Cell Donor?
For this, first of all, approximately 10 cc (3 tubes) of blood is taken and examined. If no disease is detected, the tissue type is determined and your information is transferred to the bone marrow bank.
If it is determined that you are compatible with one of the patients who applied to the bone marrow bank and are waiting for a transplant, you will be contacted and your donation method (blood stem cell collection method or bone marrow marrow collection method) is selected. Depending on your continued volunteering status, your suitability for the procedure is determined after your physical examination and laboratory evaluation.
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: HOW AND WHERE ARE STEM CELLS COLLECTED?
Stem cells. When a patient is found compatible with the tissue group of the person registered in the donor pool, the registered person is contacted. If volunteering continues, stem cells are collected. People who are unaware of how stem cells are collected often give up on becoming donors during this period. For this reason, we recommend that you read what we write below carefully.
Stem cells are collected either from the blood or bone marrow. Today, the most common collection method is in the form of stem cells taken from blood. Stem cell collection from bone marrow is used in very few diseases. Therefore, if your tissue group is found to be compatible with a patient, your stem cells will most likely be collected easily from your blood vessels.
The process of collecting stem cells from blood is emi
Before the stem cell collection process, the donor is given a vaccine (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor) that passes the stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood for about 5 days subcutaneously (usually in the area between the shoulder and arm) and allows them to multiply in the blood. =G-CSF) is done. As seen in the photo below, the stem cell donor is connected to a device similar to a dialysis machine, namely an apheresis device, through one of the large veins in both arms. The apheresis device takes blood from the vein in one arm, separates the stem cells and releases them into a blood bag, and the remaining blood is given back to the donor through the vein in the other arm. It is not a painful procedure in any way. No surgical conditions are required. The donor is always conscious. Can talk, chat or watch television. The process takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. No significant side effects are observed. The most common side effect is a slight decrease in blood pressure. The vaccine to increase stem cells does not have any significant side effects. The most common side effects are flu-like complaints.
The process of collecting stem cells from bone marrow
It is very, very rarely used. Stem cell collection from the bone marrow is usually done under general anesthesia with the help of a special needle by entering the donor's hip bone once. No pain is felt during the procedure. The process is completed in approximately 1 hour. Unless the donor is prone to bleeding, there is no risk of bleeding. Examinations for this are carried out before the procedure.
As a result, stem cell donation is a procedure that "DOES NOT HURT BUT SAVES LIFE". For this reason, we invite all our donors who are voluntary donors and registered with TÜRKÖK to donate stem cells without fear when their tissue groups match a patient.
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