\u201cA patient in search of a match is technically looking for their genetic twin.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not as easy as finding a blood type match or an organ donation, where you can receive it from anybody,\u201d Webster added.<\/p>
She said that there is only a 25 per cent chance of finding matching within family members. Seventy-five per cent of patients globally are dependent on unrelated donor matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cA donor can be a match for someone anywhere in the world, however, more often than not, a match is usually from the same ethnic background as the patient,\u201d Webster said.<\/p>\n
She added that it is important for people of all ethnicities to sign up as a potential donor.<\/p>\n
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Donor criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n There are certain health conditions such as a personal or family history with cancer, various chronic conditions, and a weight of under 50kgs or a BMI of more than 40. Donors need to be between the ages of 18 and 45 years old.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donating stem cells<\/strong><\/p>\n If you are called as a match for a patient you will contacted and informed that you are a match and to confirm that you are still committed to donating stem cells.<\/p>\n \u201cIf yes, you will need to go for a medical exam to confirm that you are in good health to ensure no risk to you or the patient.\u201d<\/p>\n A few days before the donation or harvesting date, as it is also referred to, you will be given a series of growth hormone injections to stimulate the production of stem cells in the body.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the day of the donation, you will undergo a process similar to donating platelets. A needle will be inserted in both arms.<\/p>\n \u201cBlood is drawn from the one arm, goes through a cell separator machine that extracts the stem cells and is then pumped back into your body via the other arm,\u201d added Webster.<\/p>\n The entire process can take between four to six hours and once you have been a donor, you get taken off the registry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Becoming a donor<\/strong><\/p>\n If someone is interested in being a donor, they can call The Sunflower Fund\u2019s toll free number 0800 12 10 82 and their Donor Recruitment staff will take them through the process. There is a basic health screening questionnaire that they will go through with them telephonically.<\/p>\n There are no physical tests to be carried out. Once the health screening questionnaire is completed, a form will be emailed to the potential donor. Donors will be directed to the closest clinic that The Sunflower Fund is partnered with to have blood drawn.<\/p>\n