By Patrick Paul
A blood stem cell transplant is a lifesaving treatment for patients with blood cancer and other blood disorders like Thalassemia and Aplastic Anemia. In India, the burden of blood-related disorders is continuously rising with almost a lakh new cases of blood cancer every year. If patients suffering from life-threatening diseases receive timely treatment with matching potential blood stem cell donors, they can get a second chance at life.
In India, only 0.04% of the total population is registered as a potential blood stem cell donor which is significantly lower than many other countries including the US where 2.7% and Germany where 10% of the population is registered as a potential donor. Hence, the chances of finding a matching donor for Indian patients is as little as 10-15% in comparison to western countries where the chances are as high as 60-70%.
There are certain myths and misconceptions regarding the process of blood stem cell donation that often don’t allow individuals to come forward and become a donor. Here are some of the most common myths:
Myth: Once you donate blood stem cells, you will lose them forever.
Fact: Only a fraction of total stem cells is extracted during the process. Also, all the cells are naturally replenished within a few weeks
Myth: Donating stem cells is a really invasive and painful process
Fact: Blood stem cells are collected through peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC) which is completely safe and a non-surgical procedure. The process is similar to blood platelet donation which takes approximately three to four hours to complete and the donor can leave the collection centre the same day.
Myth: Blood Donation and blood stem cell donation are the same
Fact: Unlike blood collection for transfusion, blood stem cells are collected only when there is a match between the donor and patient’s Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) combination (tissue type). So, you could be potentially the only match and Life Saver for a person with blood cancer in need of a transplant
Blood stem cell donors donate only blood stem cells and the process is similar to a platelet donation.
Myth: Pregnant women can’t register
Fact: This is untrue, a woman can register even during her pregnancy.
Myth: Stem cell donation leaves prolonged side-effects
Fact: No, there are no major side effects post blood stem cell donation. A person may only experience minor flu-like symptoms because of the GCSF injections given to him/her before the donation, to mobilize blood stem cells in the bloodstream.
Myth: Piercing and/or tattoo is a restricting factor
Fact: Piercing or a tattoo doesn’t stop you from registering yourself to be a potential donor.
Myth: My blood stem cells can be stored
Fact: Your blood stem cells will not be stored. They last for around 72 hours and are delivered to the recipient straight to the hospital by a special courier. If the recipient’s body accepts them, the stem cells will start making healthy blood cells.
Myth: Joining a blood stem cell registry is no use. Most patients can find a stem cell donor within their own families.
Fact: Per statistics, only 30% of blood disorder patients in need of a stem cell transplant are able to find a sibling match. About 70% of patients need an unrelated donor.
India is a data bank of potential blood stem cell donors that houses details on thousands of committed blood stem cell donors. Any patient can benefit from this registry provided an HLA match.
The author is the CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India