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Information for Potential Bone Marrow Donors

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by potential bone marrow donors:

 

Why do you need me?

Each year many patients are diagnosed with leukaemia or other serious blood disorders. A transplant is the only possible treatment for many of these people. Only one in three patients has a matched (tissue typed) family member. If a suitable donor is not found within the family, a search for an unrelated donor may then be done.

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People we are currently recruiting to NZBMDR:

  • People with Maori or Pacific Islander ancestry
  • People of other New Zealand ethnic minority groups
  • People from the above groups aged between 18 and 40 years in good health, and able to meet NZ requirements to donate blood.
  • Willing to donate a unit of blood (470 mls) and to have screening tests for viruses or other infections at the NZ Blood Service (NZBS).

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How does a person’s ethnicity affect matching?

Because tissue types are inherited, patients are most likely to match someone of their own ethnicity.

NZ European patients have access to approximately 9 million European donors on worldwide registries. Other ethnic groups are not as well represented on registries. For this reason, we are actively recruiting people with Maori and/or Pacific Island ancestry and people from other NZ ethnic minority groups.

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Can I be tested only for someone I know?

Only very close relatives to a patient will be tested for a specific person. While you may be motivated to join because of someone close to you, it is important to realise that each year all registries, including NZBMDR, search for many patients in need of a stem cell transplant. By joining the NZBMDR, you may be selected to help any patient in need, anywhere in the world.

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How are donors selected?

When a patient needs a donor, their tissue type is compared with that of all the donors on the registry. If you match a patient you will be contacted and asked if you are still prepared to be a donor, and another blood sample is then taken to confirm the match. Only about I in 1000 donors are ever asked to donate bone marrow stem cells.

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What happens if I am selected as a donor?

Your health and wellbeing before and after donation are very important. Before donating, an independent specialist will assess you medically explain the process, and answer any questions that you may have. Stem cell donations are performed in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland only.

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Is there any cost to me?

The main cost to you will be some of your time. NZBMDR will cover expenses (including transport and accommodation) related to the stem cell donation.

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Can I donate Blood Stem Cells more than once?

Only very occasionally you may be asked to donate on a second occasion for the same patient if the first transplant did not engraft, or if the patient relapses. Other types of blood products may also be requested for that patient such as whole blood or donor lymphocytes (white blood cells). If a member of your family requires a bone marrow transplant, you can donate for them even if you have donated for an unrelated patient .

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Confidentiality

NZBMDR keep your personal details confidential. Only your tissue type, age, sex and ethnicity with an identifying code are entered onto the register. Only appropriate medical details and your personal identifying code are released to the search or transplant centres. If you agree to donate, appropriate medical details will be passed to the transplant team involved. Your personal details will not be divulged to anyone outside the registry without your written consent.

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May I contact the patient who receives my cells?

Donors and recipients do not meet, although you may receive progress reports on your patient.

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Can I change my mind?

There are many reasons why you may need to decline at the time of the donation request, such as poor health, or family and work commitments. However, once you've agreed to act as a donor it is vital to follow through with the process because there is a point of no return for the patient. About a week before the transplant the patient has chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to destroy their diseased bone marrow. This treatment is fatal unless healthy bone marrow stem cells are transfused. At this time you have a moral obligation to proceed.

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How else can I help?

Donors for whole blood, platelets and plasma are always required by the NZ Blood Service (NZBS).

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Where can I join the NZBMDR?

All donors join by donating a unit of blood at NZBS and signing a consent form allowing an extra tube of blood to be taken for tissue typing tests.

To find your nearest NZBS centre call 0800 GIVE BLOOD (0800 448 325) or click here...

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