What is bone marrow?
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found inside bones. The bone marrow in the breast bone, skull, hips, ribs and spine contains stem cells that produce the body's blood cells. These blood cells include white blood cells (leukocytes), which fight infection, red blood cells ( erythrocytes), which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from organs and tissues: and platelets, which enables the blood to clot.
What exactly is a marrow transplant?
Simply, it is the replacement of diseased marrow with marrow from a healthy donor infused into a patient's veins through an IV, just like a blood transfusion. Within two to three weeks the transplanted marrow begins to produce normal blood cells in the patient.
Which diseases can be treated with marrow transplantation?
Various types of leukemia, aplastic anemia, severe combined immune deficiency syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and radiation poisoning can be treated with marrow transplantation.
How many persons are registered potential donors?
At the end of 2000, the National Marrow Donor Program included more than 4 million individuals in the registry.
How many ethnic minorities are registered?
Ethnic minorities are severely under-represented. Approximately 335,852 potential donors, about 7% are African Americans.
What do these numbers mean to minorities?
These numbers indicate that African-Americans receive transplants from the National Marrow Registry only 3.3% of the time, compared to a rate of 85% to 88% for Caucasians, according to Judie Davis Marrow Donor Recruitment Program in Oakland.
What is the Judie Davis Marrow Donor Recruitment Program?
The Judie Davis Marrow Donor Recruitment Program was inspired in 1989 by an African-American woman who died after failing to find a match in the National Registry. The organization was started to increase the level of African-American and other minority participation in the national registry.
What happens to the patient after a successful transplant?
If the transplant is successful, the new marrow begins to produce normal, healthy blood cells within two to three weeks. The patient has received the chance of a lifetime.
Who pays the total cost to donate my marrow?
Not you - the patient or his/her medical insurance does.
Will I ever have the opportunity to meet the recipient of my marrow?
Yes, one year after the transplant, but ONLY if the donor is willing to meet.
Are family members eligible to be my donor?
Yes. About 30% of the people who need marrow transplants have a relative, usually a brother or a sister, who can donate. The likelihood of finding a match is much higher within a person's own ethnic group.
Can I withdraw as a donor at any time if I want to?
Up until the time you provide us with your final, legal consent to proceed with the transplant - YES, but hopefully, you won't change your mind, as so much is at stake for the patient needing your help.
What happens if I am a match?
If you are found to be a first level match with a patient needing a transplant, you will be contacted immediately and you will be given the option of proceeding to a second and third blood test to insure final HLA compatibility with the patient, (both test, authorized by the patient's physician, are paid for by the patient or his/her medical insurance plan.) Then, if the match is confirmed, the transplant can be scheduled, but only with your legal consent, given after in-depth counseling and thorough physical examination.
How is the marrow extracted?
First, you are given light general anesthesia so that you feel nothing during the procedure. Second, only 2% to 3% of your marrow is harvested from your hip area through special sterile needles. Third, you are released from the hospital after a day of tender loving care.
Does it hurt?
You feel nothing during the procedure, but may experience some residual soreness in the lower back area for a few days.
Are there any risks?
Other than the remote chance of a reaction to anesthesia or an infection, the risks are minimal. This will be explained to you in detail.
What are the actual chances of finding a suitable marrow donor?
The odds are 1 in 20,000 of identifying an unrelated, compatible marrow donor...much higher, however, for patients of minority heritage. YOU could be that special life-giving person.
Are donors matched only against American patients?
No. The patient could be anywhere in the world. Many, many American patients have found donors from international donor sources.
Who can become a donor?
You must be between 18 and 60 years old, have no history of hepatitis, heart disease, cancer or AIDS; possess a positive attitude and pride in wanting to become a donor, and sign a standard consent form allowing the Registry to include your HLA tissue type in its confidential, computerized files for future matching.
How do you get started in becoming a donor?
Once the consent form is signed, it only takes a simple blood test to get started. Some labs are now able to freeze the remaining sample to be used for second level testing if you match at the first level. Of course, you would be notified and your consent obtained before the testing is done.