Bone marrow donation - just been asked

[Ray Singh]

Went to give blood yesterday. Third time ive given.

I was asked if i would consider being a bone marrow donor. I was given a leaflet to read.
Anyone here give bone marrow? I need some real life experiences before committing.

[AMLK]

I am on the bone marrow donar list, but have never been called to give. I had a friend die from leukaemia when I was a school, so as far as I am concerned some discomfort in donating is worth it if it gives someone a chance of life.
I know it can be difficult choice as it is not as stright forward as donating blood. To donate bone marrow you are give a general anaesthetic, and bone marrow is taken from you hip bone, so you will get some discomfort in your bone and the side effect of the anaesthetic.
I hope you decide to join, they desperately need people.

ETA: Good on you for being a blood donor. I know they are very short of blood at the moment as I have just received a call asking me to give again and my last donation was only 6weeks ago - going on Monday.

Edited by AMLK on Thursday 19th November 09:35

[ben_h100]

Was it the Anthony Nolan trust? I have been on the register for about four years now. I was told that there is a fair amount of discomfort if they actually have to 'utilise' your bone marrow, but it really is a worthy cause. I think it's down to the type of person you are. I'm willing to go through a short hospital stay if it saves someones life.

[YarisSi]

Can't they also take bone marrow cells by giving you drugs that increase production of these cells and then taking blood. I'm sure thats what I read when I signed up (Not that it really matters although it is meant to be a horrific and painful process otherwise)

[Ray Singh]

I was asked by the National blood service when i went to give blood.

They did mention that a drug can be given to increase production of this type of cell and this is collected.
In severe cases they still need to do an intrusive operation.

I will sign up next time i give blood.

[central]

I'm pretty sure I'm the only PHer who's had a bone-marrow transplant. Luckily my sister was a perfect match. Without the transplant I was only given about 10 years to live.

I'd advise everyone to get on the list

[AMLK]

Ray Singh said:

I will sign up next time i give blood.

Brilliant! Good for you. Now try and persaude as many other people you know to join too!
Central - glad to hear you had a successful transplant.

[Skywalker]

2 methods of donating

Bone marrow harvest - general anaesthetic and operation. Bone marrow is aspirated from back of pelvis and then given to patient.Usually an overnight stay, can cause discomfort due to number of aspirations needed into pelvis. Can be mildly anaemic afterwards until body has chance to restock its red blood cells.

Peripheral stem cell harvest- donor is given injections of a drug to stimulate the release of bone marrow stem cells into peripheral blood circulation. These cells can then be collected via a stem cell collection machine- the easiest way to describe this is that the blood is taken off a bit like dialysis but it is centrifuged to collect the stem cells whilst the rest of the blood is put back into the donor. Done as a day patient usually over 1-2 days. Need good venous access to allow the flow of blood into machine.

The second provides a more 'pure' product.

The method chosen to donate would be decided after an individual medical consultation to assess fitness to donate as the donor should be put at minimal risk.

A very altruistic, selfless, wonderful way to help someone and actually save someones life.

(OH works in transplant and sees what a difference it can make)

More info can be got from Anthony Nolan website

[BigAlinEmbra]

Never done it, but was told when I signed up for the list that it is more painful than blood donation.

I operate a selfish approach to donation, I expect it to be there if/when I need so consequently get stuck in. I carry my card about with me so they know what to hand back.

Get on the organ donor list too while you're at it. No use to you once you've puffed it, but could give someone else many years of irritating folk on the internet.