Just gotta shout it out! Woo!

[kirsty b]

Shelley, that is great news. I really hope this works out for your sister.

Good luck with everything, both of you. Positive vibes coming your way.

Got summat in my eye....could I have some tissues too please?

[OverWyreGrower]

Thats amazing news, the proceess is horrible hearing about. Isnt it the same proceedure as bone marrow transplant?

Luckily, it's not as invasive as a BM harvest.... they can take stem cells from blood, so its just a day sat in hospital hooked up to a machine, rather than an actual procedure under GA (phew!!)

[OllieMartin]

Luckily, it's not as invasive as a BM harvest.... they can take stem cells from blood, so its just a day sat in hospital hooked up to a machine, rather than an actual procedure under GA (phew!!)

So can you do stem cell donation in the same way as you can do blood donation?
You'd think that, even if you're not related to anyone who needs them, that you'd match someone in the country and could donate in much the same way as blood. (provided that you've got the time to take off work), but even so, I'd think it would save the NHS enough money to warrant paying people a salary.

Still, I'm no doctor, so I could be wrong.

[OverWyreGrower]

So can you do stem cell donation in the same way as you can do blood donation?
You'd think that, even if you're not related to anyone who needs them, that you'd match someone in the country and could donate in much the same way as blood. (provided that you've got the time to take off work), but even so, I'd think it would save the NHS enough money to warrant paying people a salary.

Still, I'm no doctor, so I could be wrong.

It took 8 weeks to run my DNA to see if I was a match....

However, as I understand it, the bone marrow/stem cell register is very similar, it's just the donation process that is different. Places like the Anthony Nolan Trust have a BM Donation register, as do the Blood Service. According to the transplant co-ordinators at the hospital, I can place my details on record for the BM/SC register, in case I match with other people.

I did notice that at the Blood Donation session I was turned away from, they had posters about signing up and donating bone marrow. I suspect, like blood donation, people need to make a positive decision to get on the register. The likelihood of being called up is probably very small, so most people won't get the call.

[OllieMartin]

It took 8 weeks to run my DNA to see if I was a match....

However, as I understand it, the bone marrow/stem cell register is very similar, it's just the donation process that is different. Places like the Anthony Nolan Trust have a BM Donation register, as do the Blood Service. According to the transplant co-ordinators at the hospital, I can place my details on record for the BM/SC register, in case I match with other people.

I did notice that at the Blood Donation session I was turned away from, they had posters about signing up and donating bone marrow. I suspect, like blood donation, people need to make a positive decision to get on the register. The likelihood of being called up is probably very small, so most people won't get the call.

Except I understand that bone marrow donation is no walk in the park and involves a rather intrusive operation, whereas your stem-cell donation sounds comparatively less discomforting (pretty sure that's a word, although it's also a double negative...ah well)

[Madhouseof5]

Wow, that is fantastic news! I really hope that things work out brilliantly for you & your sister.

[OverWyreGrower]

Except I understand that bone marrow donation is no walk in the park and involves a rather intrusive operation, whereas your stem-cell donation sounds comparatively less discomforting (pretty sure that's a word, although it's also a double negative...ah well)

Yup, from what I've been told, BM donation is a procedure that involves lots of very long needles, and at least 1 nights stay in hospital, a week or so off work after that etc.

Was very glad to find out I won't need that!!

[RedThorn]

but being the type of person that you are the OWG... sure you would have but am glad for you that you do not have to

[Jax]

Well its amazing that you were able to give that gift. Go you!!!