Every year there are thousands of people whose lives are threatened by blood diseases such as leukaemia, aplastic anaemia and other inherited genetic blood disorders.<\/p>\n
Stem cell transplants are a life-saving treatment option for South Africans diagnosed with these blood diseases.<\/p>
This September is Stem Cell Donation Month and the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), as a partner of the Sunflower Fund, is encouraging blood donors to sign up as stem cell donors when they go and donate blood.<\/p>\n
The chances of being called to donate stem cells are minor as there are difficulties matching a donor to a recipient.<\/p>
The Sunflower Fund is a non-profit organisation that aims to create awareness, educate the public and facilitate the registration process for people to join the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR).<\/p>\n
Healthy stem cells can self-renew into more cells and the platelet concentrate from these cells can be used to treat leukaemia, sickle cell disease and bone marrow deficiencies.<\/p>\n
Some individuals who benefit from blood transfusions may also need stem cell donations.<\/p>\n
The best match for a stem cell transplant would be a match between siblings; however, many are not that lucky and have to search somewhere else.<\/p>\n
A match is more likely to occur between people of the same ethnic group, so having donations from a wide range of ethnic groups is more likely to meet South Africa\u2019s diverse national needs. The chance of finding a donor is one in a 100 000.<\/p>\n
It goes without saying that having an extensive database of donors increases the chances that a match will be found.<\/p>\n
SANBS urges all blood donors to join the registry and help create a chance for people to survive.<\/p>\n
For more information on the Sunflower Fund call 0800 12 10 82 or visit http:\/\/www.sunflowerfund.org.za<\/p>\n
To find out where you can register as a stem cell donor call 0800 11 90 3 or email to customerservice@sanbs.org.za<\/p>\n
Did you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Blood stem cells are collected in a hospital by a procedure called apheresis.<\/p>\n 2. A needle is inserted into a vein in the arm and peripheral blood passes into a cell separator machine which collects the stem cells.<\/p>\n 3. The rest of the blood is immediately returned to the bloodstream through a needle in your other arm.<\/p>\n 4. The procedure takes about three to four hours.<\/p>\n 5. This avoids the general anaesthetic and hip punctures involved in the alternative method of bone marrow extraction from the pelvic bone.<\/p>\n 6. The average time to full recovery for a donation is seven days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other articles you may be\u00a0 interested in:<\/p>\n Malaria is a preventable threat to SA\u2019s blood supply<\/a><\/p>\n