When your only chance of survival depends on finding a compatible donor, it really is a race against time.

The Leukaemia Society (U.K.) works very hard in organising mobile bone marrow donor recruitment clinics to enlist potential bone marrow donors. These donors are added to a register of names held by the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. Any one of the donors recruited may be a match for a patient one day.

Fewer than 30 per cent of patients who need bone marrow/stem cell transplants find a compatible donor within their own families. The rest rely on those who have volunteered to donate stem cells to anyone in need.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that can become either:

• red blood cells (which carry oxygen),
• white blood cells (which fight infection) or
• platelets (which help to stop bleeding).

Bone marrow is a rich source of stem cells, but stem cells can also be found in our circulating blood (also known as peripheral blood) and umbilical cord blood. Donors may be asked to donate either stem cells from bone marrow or peripheral blood depending on which product the patient requires.
What is a stem cell transplant?

In a stem cell transplant, a patient's diseased marrow is replaced with healthy stem cells from a donor. To prepare for the transplant, the recipient is usually given high doses of radiation and/or chemotherapy to destroy the diseased marrow. At this point, stripped of the ability to manufacture life-giving blood cells, the recipient is extremely vulnerable. They will not survive unless the donor proceeds with the donation. Once the healthy stem cells are collected from the donor, it is given intravenously to the recipient as soon as possible.
What diseases are treated with stem cell transplants?

A variety of diseases and disorders are treated with stem cell transplants including blood-related diseases such as leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and inherited immune system and metabolic disorders.
What kinds of donors are needed?

A person's best chance of finding a matching donor is within his or her own ethnic group.
What do you mean by a "match"?

Donors and patients are matched according to the compatibility of inherited genetic markers called Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA). These antigens are inherited from your parents. Up to 12 antigens are considered important in the matching process.

if you require further information on becoming a bone marrow/stem cell donor please  Contact Us