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South African Bone Marrow Registry

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You are here: Home / Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How are stem cells donated?

PERIPHERAL BLOOD STEM CELL COLLECTION
 
This is the most likely method of collecting your stem cells. Blood stem cells are found in the bone marrow and also in the circulating blood stream (peripheral blood) but in smaller numbers. A growth factor known as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) occurs naturally in the body and regulates the production of granuloycytes and stem cells. Neupogen, which is a man-made form of G-CSF, is injected daily for five days prior to the collection. This temporarily boosts granulocyte production and encourages movement of the stem cells from the bone marrow where the cells are made, out into the peripheral (circulating) blood.
 
BONE MARROW STEM CELL COLLECTION
 
This method is seldom used in South Africa, however if it is in the patient’s best interest, the patient’s doctor might request a bone marrow stem cell collection instead. Stem cells are made in the bone marrow, mature and are then released into the blood stream. On the day of donation you will be admitted to hospital early in the morning. The marrow collection process is a surgical procedure that occurs in a hospital operating theatre while you receive general anaesthesia. Some of your marrow is removed from the back of your pelvic bone, using sterile needles and syringes. The amount collected depends on the needs of the patient and the size of the donor.
 
For more information, watch this short video created by one of our international partners
 

Who do we need as donors?

Every healthy person between 16 and 45 can be a donor. “Tissue-types” are inherited characteristics, used in matching donors and patients. The likelihood, therefore, of finding a suitable volunteer will be considerably greater within the same ethnic background. Accordingly all racial groups are welcome.

What is the South African Bone Marrow Registry?

An organisation that registers potential bone marrow donors and already has 73 000 participants. It was started in 1991 and has been designated as the Hub centre for this continent. As such, we are responsible for coordinating the provision of unrelated donors for our patients in association with a world wide database of >33 million donors and cord blood units.

Why do people need bone marrow transplants?

Every year thousands of individuals with blood diseases such as leukemia, marrow failure or aplasia, and inherited metabolic and immune deficiency syndromes reach a stage where only this procedure offers a chance of cure.

Why are unrelated donors needed?

Family members, particularly brothers and sisters are generally most suitable. However, due to the average family size, only about 30% of patients have a compatible sibling.

How do bone marrow transplants save lives?

The patient’s diseased marrow is destroyed by combinations of chemo therapy and radiation. The graft from the healthy donor is given intravenously. Thereafter the blood forming stem cells travel to cavities in the large bones and, following engraftment, begin producing normal blood.

What is bone marrow?

This is the tissue that could be regarded as the factory for the production of red cells to carry oxygen, white cells to fight infection and platelets to prevent bleeding.

How are donors and patients matched?

In the same way as red cell blood groups exist, so white cells can be categorised into groups known as “tissue-types”. Very many possible tissue types exist, so that finding the correct match depends upon having a very large register of volunteers. Although there are over 33 million donors registered worldwide some searches are still not successful.

What does the donor initially do?

Volunteers, if deemed to be suitable, need to have a small blood sample taken and sent to our laboratories for tissue-typing. The results are placed on an international computer registry.

What happens next?

Possible matching donors will be asked to provide further blood samples to help select the donor matches best for a particular patient.

Can I change my mind?

You are completely free to change your mind at any moment, up to the moment you are asked to donate. Most donors are delighted to hear that they have been chosen to donate – after all, that’s why they joined the Registry.

Where would I donate?

The medical procedure for obtaining stem cells is called a harvest. If you are asked to donate you would be required to attend a specialist harvest centre in South Africa.

Is a transplant a definite cure?

Unfortunately the field of bone marrow transplantation is complex and a number of patients still die of complications despite the best medical care. Increasing numbers of successful transplants are being carried out using matched unrelated donors. However, donors can only be assured that they offer the hope of a future to patients whose disease would almost certainly otherwise prove fatal.

What are platelets?

Platelets are a component of blood whose function (along with the coagulation factors) is to react to bleeding from blood vessel injury by clumping, thereby stopping and/or regulating the bleed.

How are platelets donated?

The blood is processed through a cell separator, which retains the platelets and returns the other blood components to the donor’s system. This procedure enables people to donate platelets every month. Platelet donation takes about an hour and a half to complete.

 

For more information please contact the blood transfusion relevant to your province:

  • Western Cape – Western Province Blood Transfusion Services
  • All other South African provinces – South African Blood Transfusion Services

Why do people need matched platelets?

Platelets which have been selected for a specific patient by matching the platelet donor’s HLA type to that of the patient. HLA matched platelets are required when a patient has become refractory to normal, random donor platelets due to the presence of anti-HLA antibodies.



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Northern Cape, we need your help! Right now, there Northern Cape, we need your help! Right now, there are patients in need of life-saving bone marrow transplants as their only hope, and YOU can help them. Applications to become donors from your region have declined over the last month.  Help us give the gift of life. Sign up at www.sabmr.co.za and we can either send a buccal swab straight to your home or you can visit your closest depot. Contact us today #StaySafeSA
Do you want to help us save a life but don’t wan Do you want to help us save a life but don’t want to leave your home to do so? Head over to www.sabmr.co.za to sign up and register as a bone marrow donor . We'll send you a buccal swab kit straight to your home, at no cost to you. The Eastern Cape has been especially hard hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which is why we have arranged for the entire process to be done in the comfort of your own home. Get in contact today #StaySafeSA
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on industries across the world, but the life-saving work to find potential matches for patients in need continues unabated. See the good news our international partner @bethematch recently shared!
If detected early, most childhood cancers can be t If detected early, most childhood cancers can be treated successfully. While childhood cancers share general symptoms with other illnesses, if one of the following symptoms persist, seek medical assistance immediately @cancerassociationofsouthafrica
Today marks International Childhood Cancer Day. Di Today marks International Childhood Cancer Day. Did you know that South Africa has among the highest childhood cancer mortality rates in the world, with two thirds of children never reaching a specialist treatment centre and when they do, their cancer is often at an advanced stage? Help us spread awareness around #ChildhoodCancer as early detection is key to survival!
None of our accomplishments over the last 30 years None of our accomplishments over the last 30 years would have been possible without the loyal and dedicated staff at the SABMR! Thank you for all you do! #SABMR30
A new life for someone in need of a stem cell tran A new life for someone in need of a stem cell transplant could be just a cheek swab away.  One of our followers Marita Rossouw applied online and received her at-home-sampling swab kit and demonstrates how easy the process is to potentially #BeTheMatch for someone in need. @bethematch
Northern Cape we need you! The second wave of COVI Northern Cape we need you! The second wave of COVID-19 infections has impacted donor registrations in your region. We want to keep you as safe as possibleso we’re offering a courier service to deliver a buccal swab kit (cheek swab) directly to your home or you could choose to visit your nearest depot. Register a www.sabmr.co.za #StaySafeSA
It is the month of love, give the ultimate gift of It is the month of love, give the ultimate gift of a second chance at life to someone in need of a stem cell transplant. If you're between the ages of 16 and 45, head over to www.sabmr.co.za to register. You could #BeTheMatch for a patient in need @bethematch
Thanks to your generosity we've raised R195 000 f Thanks to your generosity we've raised R195 000  for the Give A Little Save a Life campaign. THANK YOU! 

We're still R205 000 off from our target of R400 000 - can you spare R50 or more to help us give two youth a second chance at life? Head over to the link in our bio to donate 🙏
Eastern Cape we need your help! The second COVID-1 Eastern Cape we need your help! The second COVID-19 wave has halted physical donor drives. This means bone marrow donor sign ups have decreased in your region. We've made it easier for you to sign up while keeping you safe. Register online and we will send you a buccal swab kit (cheek swab) straight to  your door and collect it at no cost to you. Head over to www.sabmr.co.za to find out more #StaySafeSA
For 30 years, our mission has been to help find a For 30 years, our mission has been to help find a donor match for every patient in need of a bone marrow transplant. Thanks to your help, we've managed to save many lives. So here's a big thank you from us to you! #SABMR30
Not all heroes wear capes - some of them wear the Not all heroes wear capes - some of them wear the SABMR uniform. We'd like to take a moment to thank our staff who put in endless hours in trying to help save lives to find a match for those in need - even during a pandemic and juggling the ''new normal!'' Show your appreciation by leaving a comment below @bethematch  @blogwith_clarice  #SABMR30
Have you signed up to our newsletter? Stay in the Have you signed up to our newsletter? Stay in the know with what is happening behind the scenes and in the media with the SABMR. Subscribe here at the link in our bio
To date, we have raised R138 000 because of you. T To date, we have raised R138 000 because of you. THANK YOU!
We are still R262 000 away from our target of R400 000 to assist two youth in need. Read their stories and donate R50 or more in the link in our bio
Did you know that all it takes to sign up as a bon Did you know that all it takes to sign up as a bone marrow donor is a cheek swab? You could #BeTheMatch we are looking for. Sign up at www. sabmr.co.za so we can arrange for the delivery of a buccal swab kit to your home to start the process. @bethematch
Over the last 30 years, we've managed to give seve Over the last 30 years, we've managed to give several patients another chance at life. We also could not do it without your assistance. Read the stories of the people you've helped us to save - link in bio.
Did you know that only 30% of patients in need of Did you know that only 30% of patients in need of a bone marrow transplant find their match within their immediate family?  The other 70%  need to look beyond their families. The odds of finding a match is 1 in 100 000 - could you be the one? Head over to www.sabmr.co.za to find out how you can help us.
Two youth currently need our help with bone marrow Two youth currently need our help with bone marrow transplants, but we cannot do it alone. Help us give them a second chance at life with the Give A Little Save a Life campaign. Donate R50 or more today via the link in our bio to give them the second chance they so deserve!
We frequently get asked who we need as donors. The We frequently get asked who we need as donors. The answer is simple, we need all of you. If you're between the ages of 16 and 45 and relatively healthy, sign up to become a registered bone marrow donor at www.sabmr.co.za
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