Verifcation Typing (VT)
Once you join the BMDP register, you will be included in a world-wide database for transplant centre search for their patients. If you are found to be a potential match to a patient, our donor management staff will contact you and walk through the following steps with you:
- Participate in an information session where we will share with you on the donation process and time commitment.
- If you agree to proceed, you will complete a medical questionnaire and provide your consent.
- Provide blood samples to confirm you are a match and to test for Infectious Disease Marker (IDM) for donor and patient safety.
We encourage you to invite your family and loved ones to be involved so they can fully understand and support you during this meaningful journey!
Work-Up (WU)
If you are chosen and activated by the transplant centre as a matched donor, you may be asked to proceed to the next stage of WU. BMDP will appoint a qualified doctor to assess you to ensure you are healthy and fit for donation.
This process consists of 2 stages:
- Doctor Consultation and Donor Consent
- Physical Examination
More information will be shared by the doctor about the donation process, including any potential risks and side effects from the donation. You will also be given a thorough medical examination to ensure you have no pre-existing conditions that could pose any risks to you or the patient. If you are under the age of 21, parental consent is necessary, and 1 parent must be present during the session.
Donation and Recovery
After you are cleared from the medical assessment, you can donate your stem cells by either of the 2 methods below.
Method 1: Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) Collection
This method involves administrating a course of injections of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) over a period of 5 days before donation. The purpose of the injections is to stimulate the bone marrow and increase the number of blood stem cells into the bloodstream. On the day of your donation, blood is collected from one of your arms and pass through a apheresis machine that separates out the blood stem cells, and all the remaining blood is returned to you through the other arm.This process last about 5-8 hours. Recovery period is about 1-3 days.
Method 2: Bone Marrow Collection
The blood stem cells are collected directly from the bone marrow in the pelvic bones. This process is no longer than 1 hour but requires hospital stay as donor will be under general anesthesia for the procedure. Depending on individual, the recovery from soreness in the lower back can last for a few days or longer.
For both methods, your donated stem cells will be replaced within 4-6 weeks.
Post-Donation Follow Up
After your donation, you will have 2 medical follow-ups within a year. This is to ensure you have recovered from the donation and your blood cell count is back to normal. BMDP is committed in supporting you and we will give a friendly call within 1 week after the donation and annually up to 10 years from your donation.
