Stem cell donors are often a patient’s only chance at a cure for leukemia.
When a patient is initially diagnosed with leukemia, they are placed into a risk category based on the types of genetic mutations associated with their particular type of leukemia. Any patient who falls into the intermediate to high risk category is almost immediately put on track for a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, as long as their body will be able to handle it. (Stem cells are produced by the body’s bone marrow, so the terms stem cell transplant and bone marrow transplant are often used interchangeably).
For leukemia patients, a stem cell transplant requires stem cells from a donor (known as an allogeneic stem cell transplant) that replace a patient’s existing bone marrow, and ideally eliminate the patient’s faulty stem cells by giving the patient an entirely new immune system from their donor.
Decades of research and clinical practice have gone into perfecting the process of a bone marrow transplant. The first successful allogeneic stem cell transplant took place in Paris in 1958, while the first successful bone marrow transplant between siblings took place in the U.S. in 1968. But, even today, transplant is one of the most daunting treatment options for leukemia patients – it typically requires a long (30 to 90 day) hospital stay with a 24/7 caregiver, harsh chemotherapy, potential complications, complex follow-up care, and of course, a donor.
Because stem cell transplants are the only chance at being “cured” of leukemia, bone marrow donors are absolutely crucial to saving the lives of leukemia patients who are eligible for transplant. The better a donor matches a patient’s blood markers, the better the patient’s prognosis. Having a well-matched donor minimizes the risk of complications such as graft versus host disease, and provides a far better chance of successful engraftment (the new donor cells meshing with the patient’s body and not being rejected).
Donated cells can sometimes come from a sibling. But siblings only have a 25% chance of being a match, leaving many leukemia patients to rely on bone stem cell donors from strangers around the globe, via the National Marrow Donor Program (formerly Be The Match).
Stem cell matching is not based on blood type (in fact, the stem cell recipient’s blood type will actually change to the blood type of their donor after successful engraftment!). Rather, matching is based on a process called HLA Typing, which can be done with a simple cheek swab via mail!
Stem cell donors are absolutely crucial to saving the lives of leukemia patients who are eligible for transplant.
For a leukemia patient, getting into and staying in remission (and timing their transplant to take place while they are in remission) is everything. When there are matching donors available and lined up for transplant, it gives the patient a much better prognosis, because it allows the transplant to be planned in advance and take place at the best time for peak effectiveness.
Notably, some ethnic groups have a much harder time finding matching donors, which can limit their treatment options and delay or even eliminate their opportunity for a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. This makes the need for eligible donors more important than ever.
The following video from the NMDP explains the process in more detail, and they also maintain a great set of frequently asked questions about donating stem cells.
The process of registering as a donor couldn’t be easier! In fact, it is usually done with an at-home cheek swab kit via mail to the National Marrow Donor Program. That’s all that’s required of a donor up front!
Donors are not called upon to donate stem cells until a matching recipient in need of transplant is identified (sometimes years after registering). All costs for the procedure, traveling to a collection center, lodging, and even childcare and pet care, are covered by the NMDP.
The process of registering as a donor couldn’t be easier! In fact, it is usually done with an at-home cheek swab kit via mail to the National Marrow Donor Program. That’s all that’s required of a donor up front!
If/when a matching patient in need of a stem cell donation is identified, the process of actually donating stem cells is also quite easy: It typically involves the removal of the cells via an IV line through a process called apheresis (similar to donating plasma or platelets), which causes minimal to no pain, and generally involves no short term or long term side effects. Donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44, in general good health, have no known infectious diseases or autoimmune disorders, and no severe lung or heart issues.
If that sounds like you, please consider joining the donor registry and saving lives today! The NMDP allows you to join the registry with ease, and provides support before, during, and after the donation procedure. Donating stem cells is, quite literally, a life saver!
Please consider joining the registry today: https://www.nmdp.org/get-involved/join-the-registry.
Donors are the heroes of our leukemia stories. A simple swab of your cheek could save someone’s life!
Donors are the heroes of our leukemia stories. Donating stem cells is, quite literally, a life saver! Please consider joining the registry today: