Do you know how stem cell donation works?
Though it’s not necessarily talked about as much as blood donation, stem cell donation is also vital to many Canadians’ health.
Canadian Blood Services is reminding Victorians that stem cell donation is just one of the many ways you can join Canada’s Lifeline.
Donating stem cells works a little differently than donating blood, but the first step is finding out if you’re eligible, which you can do here.
Once you’re registered, it’s time to complete your swab collection—you can get a kit online, or pick one up at CBS’ Victoria Donor Centre.
Once you have your buccal (cheek) swab kit, complete the quick and easy collection procedure by following the instructions with the kit. CBS will process your kit and notify you once you become officially searchable on the registry for patients in need.
How does stem cell donation work?
A blood stem cell donation from a healthy donor replaces a recipient patient’s unhealthy stem cells to help heal and re-boost their blood and immune systems.
Stem cell transplants help patients whose bone marrow (stem cell factory) has failed due to an illness, or have received chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
There are two types of methods for adult blood stem cell donation—peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) and bone marrow stem cells.
PBSCs are collected from circulating (peripheral) blood. Since only a small number of (blood) stem cells is released into the bloodstream, a blood cell growth stimulating medication is administered to donors prior to the donation to dramatically increase the number of stem cells in the blood prior to the collection day.
Bone marrow donation, on the other hand, is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia.
The physician administering the donation uses a hollow needle to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of the pelvic bones. The procedure usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes. The amount collected can range from 0.5 litres to 1.5 litres, depending on the number of stem cells the patient needs. This is calculated based on the height and weight of the donor and patient.
Are you eligible?
Canadian Blood Services encourages you to join Canada’s national stem cell registry if you are:
- Between the ages of 17 and 35
- In good general health
- Free of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis B and C
- Free of health issues, including cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes, certain heart conditions, etc.
- Willing to be a donor to any patient in need
Patients who need a stem cell transplant are more likely to find a matching donor among those who share their ethnic ancestry—if you come from an ethnically diverse or mixed-race background, you could be the match they’ve been waiting for.
According to CBS, many people have difficulty finding a match due to a lack of diversity in stem cell registries around the world, which is exactly why they need donors from as many ethnic and mixed-race backgrounds as possible.
Over a holiday weekend, like the Thanksgiving long weekend on the horizon, CBS looks to fill blood donor appointments—head online to book your appointment today—you could save a life!
Canadian Blood Services Victoria
- Where: 3449 Saanich Road
- When:
- Tuesday – 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday – 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday – 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Closed Sunday & Monday
- To book your appointment: You can book online, use the GiveBlood app, or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
- For groups or offices of three or more, email bookagroupbc@blood.ca
