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How do you tell a child they may not live long enough to go to college, get married or have children of their own?
No one should have to make such a tough decision. Yet, each year, thousands of Black and African American families with a love one suffering from a life-threatening disease, such as leukemia and lymphoma, face this very dilemma. For many, their diseases could be treated with a marrow or blood stem cell transplant - if a matching donor could be found. You could be that donor. When you join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry as a committed donor, you unite with more than 5 million potential donors who know the importance of being there for a patient in need of a life-saving transplant of bone marrow or blood stem cells.
The NMDP is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the communities it serves. We work hard to help more Black patients suffering from a variety of life-threatening diseases receive the transplants that can save their lives. We enlist the support of Black civic, community and faith-based organizations to raise awareness around the country and encourage more people to join the NMDP Registry.
Although millions have registered, there is a pressing need for more donors from diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds, particularly within the Black communities. Because a matching donor is likely to be found within a person’s racial or ethnic background, increasing the number of Black donors will help more patients receive a second chance at life. And, because donating bone marrow or blood stem cells is a living donation, you can make a difference in someone’s life while you're sill alive.
TAKE THE STEPS TO A COMMITTED DECISION
We want you to have all the information and support you need to make a fully committed decision.
Learn the facts.
Who can donate? Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health.
What are blood stem cells? Blood stem cells are immature cells found in the body that and develop into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.
Who needs a transplant? Bone marrow and blood stem cell transplants are most frequently used to treat patients with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases such as inherited immune system and genetic disorders. These diseases affect all communities equally and 70 percent of patients in need of a transplant will not find a matching donor in their family.
Dose it hurt to donate? The marrow donation procedure is a surgical process done under regional or general anesthesia. You may experience some discomfort afterward, such as muscle soreness or aches. If you donate peripheral blood stem cells, you may experience some discomfort during the stages prior to donation, when the drug filgrastim* is administered to increase the number of stem cells in your blood stream.
Is donating safe? There are side effects and risks to donation. In general, these are modest. Before deciding to donate, every donor receives detailed information about the side effects and risks.
Who guides me through the process? Your local NMDP representative will see you through each step of the donation process and will remain in contact until you are able to resume normal activities. The NMDP also provides support and advocacy resources for donor.
What is the NMDP’s role? The NMDP works through a Network of hospitals and blood centers around the country. We match donors to patients and coordinate all aspects of the donation and transplant procedures. We also assist patients in overcoming financial barriers and other issues that affect their ability to receive a transplant.
Who pays for the donor’s expenses? Once you join the Registry, all donor expenses are typically paid for by the patient or his or her insurance provider.
BECOME A MARROW OR BLOOD STEM CELL DONOR
Give a blood sample.
A simple blood test identifies your tissue type, which is the information needed to match donors and patients.
Join the Registry.
Your tissue type is added to the NMDP Registry, and listing of all available potential donors that is searched daily on behalf of thousands of patients in need of bone marrow or blood stem cell transplants.
If you are identified as a potential match, take a few more tests.
You'll be asked for additional blood samples to confirm that you're the best possible match for the patient. Next You'll be educated about the donation processes and undergo a medical exam.
Participate in one of two procedures to donate.
If you are asked to donate marrow, you will check into a hospital where marrow will be removed from the pelvic bones. The procedure takes place under regional or general anesthesia. You will stay one day or less. After the procedure, donors report feeling some discomfort in their lower back for several days or longer.
If you are donating blood stem cells, you will be given daily injections for four to five days of the drug filgrastim* to increase the number of stem cells in your bloodstream. The cells are then removed through a needle in one arm at a hospital or blood center. Any effects from the filgrastim* injections, such as bone or muscle pain and headaches, disappear soon after the donation.
* Filgrastim is a synthetic version of a normal human protein that stimulates white blood cell production. It helps to move stem cells from the marrow into the bloodstream so they can be collected by aphaeresis.
KEEP IN TOUCH. If you are ever matched with a patient, we need to find you quickly. Be sure to regularly update your donor center on your address, health status and willingness to donate.
For more information about becoming a bone marrow or blood stem cell donor, call the National Marrow Donor Program at 1-800-MARROW-2 or www.marrow.org.
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