Tag: stem cell donation

Categories : CancerTags :

The Truth About Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation

On By ModernMedia
SAG Leukaemia. Credit: Scientific Animations CC0

While thousands of South Africans have registered as potential bone marrow stem cell donors, a critical challenge looms: donor attrition. These dropout rates, ranging from 23% to 56%, can significantly delay finding a suitable match for blood cancer patients in desperate need of a potentially life-saving transplant. This can unfortunately impact their chances of survival.

The good news is that donating stem cells is a safe and relatively simple process. With Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month taking place between 15 August and 15 October 2024, DKMS Africa aims to address some misconceptions that might deter registered donors from following through with donations.

Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications, unpacks these below:

Myth 1: Donating stem cells is a painful surgical procedure.

Fact: For over 90% of donors the process entails Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) collection, a non-surgical procedure similar to donating blood. During PBSC, donors will rest comfortably while a needle is placed in each arm. Blood is drawn from one arm, passed through a machine that separates the stem cells, and the remaining blood is returned to the body through the other arm. While not painful, some donors may experience mild side effects like headaches, fatigue, or muscle aches, which typically resolve quickly.

For a small percentage of donors (around 2%), stem cells might be collected directly from the bone marrow in the pelvic bone. This minimally invasive procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. Although some donors experience temporary discomfort or soreness at the extraction site, the feeling is usually comparable to a bruise.

Myth 2: Donating takes too long and disrupts my life too much.

Fact: While the donation process involves some steps, it’s designed to be manageable. You’ll likely have a briefing call to explain the process, a health check to confirm your suitability, and an informative session about donation itself. The actual donation typically takes less than a day (4-6 hours) for the PBSC method.

For the bone marrow donation method, a hospital stay is involved, but it’s usually just three days. This includes check-in on day one, the procedure on day two, and discharge on day three.

Myth 3: Donating stem cells means missing a lot of work. 

Fact: The good news is that most donors can get back to work quickly. For PBSC donation, donors will likely be able to return within two days. If they donate bone marrow, a bit more recovery time is needed, so they should plan for about one week of leave.

Myth 4: My boss won’t be okay with me taking time off to donate.

Many employers are incredibly supportive of staff who donate stem cells. In our experience, most react positively to this selfless act. If your company doesn’t offer paid leave for donation, DKMS has a financial assistance programme that deals with lost wage compensation.

Myth 5: Donating stem cells will cost me money.

Fact: Donation is completely free of charge for the donor. DKMS covers all donation-related expenses, including travel, meals, and accommodation if needed. Financial support is also provided for a companion to join them at the hospital. The donor’s health insurance will never be involved, and DKMS handles the costs of any follow-up care that might be necessary.

“Seventeen-year-old Anele who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of cancer that affects the production of healthy blood cells, is just one of many patients in need of a stem cell transplant from a matching donor,” says Mokomele. “His father, Lawrence, is devastated, with his son now hanging on for dear life, waiting for that one person to be a match.”

“Every registered donor brings hope to a patient battling blood cancer. By staying committed to the cause, you help to ensure a readily available pool of potential matches, increasing a patient’s chance of receiving a transplant. Let’s give them a second chance at life!” she concludes.

Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now

For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.

Categories : CancerTags :

Cell Donor’s Socioeconomic Status Affects Cancer Treatment Outcomes

On By ModernMedia
SAG Leukaemia. Credit: Scientific Animations CC0

In a study published in the journal PNAS, a research team led by the University of Minnesota Medical School have shown that the socioeconomic status (SES) of cell donors affects the health outcomes of blood cancer patients who underwent haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). 

The study examined the health outcomes of 2005 blood cancer patients treated with HCT in the United States. The research team found cancer patients who were transplanted with cells from donors of greatest socioeconomic disadvantage experienced a 9.7% reduction in overall survival and 6.6% increase in transplant-related mortality at three years compared to those transplanted from donors of high socioeconomic status – regardless of the cancer patient’s socioeconomic status.

“Our findings are quite remarkable. We have shown that social disadvantage penetrates so deeply that it is actually transplantable into a new host, and its effects persist over time,” said Lucie Turcotte, MD, MPH, MS, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The results show the striking biological impact of social disadvantage and how it can alter health outcomes, specifically in the setting of cancer and hematopoietic cell transplantation. 

The research team plans to conduct further research to investigate the underlying biological and physiologic drivers of these findings in order to develop interventions to mitigate the adverse health outcomes introduced by socioeconomic disadvantage. 

“The importance of these findings reach far beyond cancer and bone marrow transplant care – they demonstrate the profound health effects of social inequality and highlight the critical need for public health interventions,” said Dr Turcotte. 

Source: University of Minnesota Medical School

Categories : CancerTags :

56% Stem Cell Donor Dropout Rate Puts Blood Cancer Patient Survival at Risk

On By ModernMedia
Twenty-five-year-old Amahle is a proud stem cell donor – despite her fear of needles. Photo: supplied.

South Africans in need of life-saving stem cell transplants face an uphill battle due to a high rate of donor attrition. While more than 30 000 South Africans registered as stem cell donors in 2023, a 43% increase year-on-year, more than half of matched donors changed their minds when they received the call.

Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa, says that donor attrition reduces the chances of survival for many patients. “Unlike other medical donations, such as donating blood, which take place immediately, stem cell donation is a multi-stage process, meaning that those who have registered may be contacted weeks, months, or even years after they have signed up if they are a possible match for a patient. “The uncertainty around whether and when they will be called on to donate therefore impacts donor availability.”

“If notified, they will be asked to undergo confirmatory typing to determine whether they are the best match for the patient and healthy enough to donate. It is usually at this point that they decide whether to proceed with the donation or not,” shares Mokomele.

“Finding a matching stem cell donor is already like searching for a needle in a haystack, so when they choose not to follow through, it further delays the process of locating suitable donors while also increasing wait times for transplants – putting patient survival at risk,” she points out.

To prevent this and help give patients a second chance at life as fast as possible, Mokomele urges those who have registered to regularly update their donor profile to reflect their current health status and availability. “Although it can take some time between registering and receiving the call that you’re a match, it is well worth the wait.”

Twenty-five-year-old Amahle, who recently answered the call, concurs, saying, “I couldn’t believe I was going to give another person a chance to live a healthy life.”

After receiving the news, she underwent confirmatory typing and a preliminary health check. She was also given a detailed briefing call on what to expect.

As with most cases, a Peripheral Stem Cell Donation was required, which is similar to a blood donation in 90% of cases. Blood is drawn and passes through a machine (apheresis machine) that collects the stem cells after which the rest of the blood is returned back into the body. This procedure does not require anaesthetic or admission to hospital and is normally completed within four to six hours. To help Amahle generate sufficient stem cell quantities, she was injected with a hormone-like substance called G-CSF in the lead up to the donation so her body can produce more stem cells for her genetic twin. G-CSF is safe and is a significant part of the process.

Finally, the big day arrived and although she was a ball of nerves (especially given her fear of needles), she pushed through. “I was strong. I knew I needed to continue because soon I was going to save a life.”

“We applaud Amahle’s selfless act. It is moments like these that remind us of the profound impact each individual can have on another’s life. At the same time, however, we are forced to acknowledge the sobering reality that 56% of registered donors drop out. With every registration, there is hope. But hope alone is not enough. Action is what truly makes a difference. We, therefore, urge South Africans between the ages of 17 and 55 who are in good health to not only register as a stem cell donor but to act when the call for donation comes,” concludes Mokomele.

Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now.

Categories : Diseases, Syndromes and ConditionsTags :

More Stem Cell Donors Needed to Increase the Aplastic Anaemia Survival Rate

On By ModernMedia
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Despite being one of the rarest blood disorders, Aplastic Anaemia is one of the deadliest, with about 70% of patients having a life expectancy of only one year if untreated.

Among the treatment options available, stem cell transplants offer hope, boasting a 96% survival rate that increases to 100% in children and adults under 40. Unfortunately, however, there are only 76 019 donors on the South African registry, meaning that the chances of Aplastic Anaemia patients finding a suitable match are slim.

“The chances are even slimmer for Black Aplastic Anaemia patients as only 33% of the registry is comprised of Black donors,” says Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa, who explains that a patient’s best chance of a match comes from within their own ethnic group.

Currently, the non-profit organisation is trying to find matching donors for at least seven South African Aplastic Anaemia patients between the ages of seven and 36. Some of these patients, like 21-year-old Kholiwe, have been on the waiting list since as far back as 2020.

During her matric year, she started experiencing symptoms and after being rushed to the hospital following a fainting spell, received the shocking diagnosis. Compounding the situation for the aspiring drama student was the withdrawal of support from her family, leaving her all alone to cope emotionally and financially with the disease. As she waits for a matching donor to be found, Kholiwe now has the challenge of finding permanent employment while simultaneously undergoing medical treatments to keep her alive. Despite these hardships, she remains hopeful about finding a matching stem cell donor. “Kholiwe’s future, and those of other Aplastic Anaemia patients, depends on this,” says Mokomele.

Explaining what Aplastic Anaemia is, she shares that, based on information gathered by DKMS Africa in conjunction with BLOODSA, the condition occurs when our bone marrow stops making enough blood cells. “This can lead to anaemia, a weak immune system, and an increased risk of bleeding and bruising.”

As for the cause of Aplastic Anaemia, Mokomele points out that this is due to bone marrow damage. “While some people are born with compromised bone marrow, others develop this as a consequence of pregnancy, genetic disorders, certain medicines or chemicals, an overactive immune system or viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis.”

In light of Aplastic Anaemia Awareness Day on 4 March, she encourages all South Africans to familiarise themselves with the symptoms. “These include tiredness; feeling weak; pale skin and tongue; bruising and bleeding easily; rapid heartbeat; trouble breathing; frequent infections; headaches and dizziness.”

Similarly, 10-year-old Mesuli’s experience highlights the challenges faced by Aplastic Anaemia patients and their families. His journey began with drastic weight loss and constant fatigue. The once energetic and always bubbly little boy grew weak and started having severe nose bleeds. That’s when his aunt Nonhle, who is caring for him following the passing of his mother, consulted a doctor. With his illness forcing him to leave school, Mesuli’s new reality consists of going to the hospital every Wednesday for a blood transfusion.

“It hurts to see him in pain because it hurts me too. All I want is for him to grow and live out his dreams. I am begging each South African to think of Mesuli, spread the word and get your family and friends registered to help save the life of my boy. His life hangs in the hands of a perfect stranger,” pleads Nonhle.

Mesuli hopes to one day become a doctor and save lives, the same way he hopes his life will be saved.

“Bearing Aplastic Anaemia Awareness Day in mind, we encourage South Africans to pay close attention to their health and that of their loved ones, especially as the rarity of the disease does not diminish its severity. But, more importantly, we need those who are healthy to register as stem cell donors and save the lives of patients with this deadly disease,” concludes Mokomele.

Register today at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now

For more information, contact DKMS Africa on 0800 12 10 82.

Categories : Cancer PaediatricsTags :

Conquering Childhood Leukaemia: How You can Help

On By ModernMedia
Preshthi Ishwarlal

Receiving the news that their child has been diagnosed with cancer is devastating for any parent, but this is even worse when they hear that, after 18 months of remission, their little one will need to battle the disease all over again.

This was the case for mom of two Arthie Ishwarlal. Back in 2021, her then two-year-old daughter, Preshthi, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, white blood cells, red blood cells, and blood platelets. But, despite undergoing inpatient treatment, Preshthi experienced a relapse earlier this year with doctors saying that her only chance for survival is a stem cell transplant from a matching donor. Unfortunately, however, there is no match for her on the country’s stem cell registry at present.

As the world observes International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) on 15February, Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa explains that South Africans can potentially save Preshthi’s life. While there are currently over 73 000 donors on the South African registry, each only has a 1 in 100 000 chance of being a match for a blood cancer patient in need. But exacerbating the situation for little Preshthi is the lack of Indian donors since the best chance of a match comes from within one’s own ethnic group.”

She adds that it is not just Preshthi who needs a stem cell transplant for a second chance at life. “This is often the only treatment offering children with other blood cancers, like lymphomas, any hope of a cure.”

With leukaemia and lymphomas being two of the five most common cancers among South Africa’s youth, with the former accounting for 34% of childhood cancer cases and the latter 11%, Mokomele urges South Africans aged between 17 and 55 who are in good general health to register as donors. “In doing so, you might save a child’s life.”

Register at https://www.dkms-africa.org/register-now. Registration is entirely free and takes less than five minutes.

For further information, get in touch with DKMS Africa at 0800 12 10 82.