Donating Stem Cells for Research

Stem cell therapy uses stem cells from patients themselves or from donor sources. Stem cells are found naturally in every person’s body and they can be donated to others in need. However, stem cells come from other sources such as umbilical cords, lab-made sources and more. Find out where donated stem cells come from and how to donate stem cells for different purposes!

Why Donate?

Have you ever considered how you could help someone in the world who is in need by donating cells from your bone marrow or blood?  Your donation may be exactly what a transplant recipient needs.

Donors give collections of their peripheral blood stem cells to patients that need them to battle leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, or other life-threatening diseases.

Transplants and Tissue Matching

Donating stem cells and matching them to a successful transplant match is an intricate process. Tissue type is inherited so family donating usually is the most promising kind of stem cell donating.

Unfortunately, three-quarters of people who need transplants do not have a matched sibling.

When family matches can’t be find, a wider net is cast. This is where donations from people around the country (and world) can make all the difference.

How do You Donate Stem Cells

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation describes a nonsurgical procedure to gather blood-forming cells for bone marrow transplants and other treatments.  Those interested in donating PBSCs can visit an accredited blood center or outpatient hospital facility that participates in PBSC collections.

What to Expect with Stem Cell Donations

Donating stem cells requires some preparation. Donors are required to take injections of Filgrastim five days before donating to augment the number of blood stem cells in your bloodstream.

To collect the blood-forming cells, your blood will be extracted with a needle that is then processed through a machine. The remaining blood is returned to you through a needle in your opposite arm. (If you have donated blood platelets before, the process is much the same.)

How to Get Started with a Stem Cell Donation

The American Cancer Society Offers the following information on how to donate stem cells for others:

• Speak with a healthcare provider or the National Marrow Donor Program to locate a donor center near you.
• Discover if you are healthy enough to donate so you won’t put the recipient at risk of infection
• Contact Be the Match (formerly the National Marrow Donor Program): Toll-free number: 1-800-MARROW-2 (1-800-627-7692); Website: www.bethematch.org

Call for a Free Stem Cell Therapy Consultation

A donor center representative can work with you to answer questions you may have about stem cell donating. You can agree to more testing to get ready to donate, or you can choose to opt out of donating at this time if you decide.

Regenerative treatment can restore vitality and relieve pain of those suffering from a myriad of diseases and conditions.