Donation Process
How it Works
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Step 1 - Swab to join
Complete a mouth cheek swab to join. This is the first step to simply get yourself added to the donor registry. Doctors search the registry to find matches for patients.
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Step 2 - It's a match!
If you happen to be a match for a patient in need, you’ll be contacted & asked to donate your stem cells! Matches are rare, while not everyone will donate, joining increases the chances for those in need.
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Step 3 - Donate your stem cells
Donating blood stem cells is easy & painless, 90% of time it’s like giving a long blood donation. See below to learn more.
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Step 4 - Save a life!
Your lifesaving stem cells are sent to the patient, giving them a second chance at life. And you return back to normal activities after donation, feeling amazing knowing you saved someone’s life!
Donation methods
Donating stem cells is quite simple these days! There are no costs to you, just your time and commitment. There are 2 donation methods, Peripheral blood stem cell donation or Bone marrow donation (see below). For both donation methods:
You’ll fill out some forms and do some basic health checks.
Your donor coordinator will guide you through everything, and you’ll have support at every step.
Your health is the top priority, so doctors will make sure you're fit enough beforehand, there are no short or long term risks associated in donating stem cells.
The chances of being a match with a patient are pretty low – only 1 in 1,500 Australians are matched in any given year, so donating stem cells is not something you’ll do all the time. You could swab to join the donor registry, but may not hear from someone for many years, maybe even your whole life. Keeping your contact details up to date is important!
While you’re not forced to donate if you’re ever called as a match, it’s not fair for patients to receive “false hope”, so it’s really important to be ready and committed when you swab and join the donor registry.
Donating stem cells is a life-changing experience, not just for the patient but for the donor too. Knowing that you are the reason someone else is still alive is pretty special and most donors say they would donate again in a heartbeat!
Peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC)
Donating your stem cells is easier than you might think and way less scary than it sounds, it’s a lot like donating blood! PBSC is the most common method and done 90% of the time.
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In the lead up to collection, you'll receive an injection every day for about 4 days (don’t worry it’s just a small sized needle)! This is called G-CSF, it stimulates your bone marrow to create extra stem cells that flow into your blood stream, ready to be collected. The side effects are usually mild (sometimes headaches, bone or muscle pain, mild fatigue), but these go away once your stem cells are collected and taking Panadol can help. There are no short or long term risks associated with G-CSF and you can take something like Panadol to help.
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On the day of your donation, your stem cells will be flowing through your bloodstream and ready to do their thing! You'll have two needles, one in each arm, connected to an "Apheresis Machine". The machine will take blood from one arm, separate the stem cells, and send the rest of your blood back through the other arm. You never “lose” your stem cells because it’s your excess stem cells that are taken caused by the injections you took beforehand (it’s not like donating an organ or anything). The whole process takes about 3 to 4 hours. You can relax, watch Netflix, or scroll through your socials while it’s happening! And once it’s done, you can go back to your usual activities!
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You can go straight back to your usual activities and your bag of stem cells will be sent to the patient. And you’ll feel pretty awesome about yourself, knowing you saved a life!
Jack looking happy and relaxed in the middle of his blood stem cell donation!
Bone marrow donation
This is the less common method and done 10% of the time. If you are asked to donate in this way, it’s because the patient receiving your bone marrow is a child or baby. So although a little more is involved, it’s extra special knowing you saved a child’s life!
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Other than the usual preparation of filing out forms and getting your health checks done, there’s nothing else you need to do in the lead up to collection day.
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You’ll be placed under general anaesthetic for this procedure. A needle is used to take bone marrow from the pelvis (back of the hip). It might sound painful, but you won’t feel anything during the procedure, and any soreness afterwards usually goes away in a few days with the help of Panadol.
The procedure can take 1 - 2 hours and depending on the time of the procedure you can go home on the same day. Otherwise it could mean an overnight stay in hospital.
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You may feel some pain like a dull ache in the lower back region which can be helped with Panadol. It normally wears off after a few days and most people are back to doing their regular activities in that time. Your body replenishes the bone marrow within 4 weeks so you don’t “lose” it forever (it’s not like donating an organ or anything)!
Click the image to watch a short video about the 2 different donation methods
Learn more about donating stem cells
Hear from donors and their real life experiences donating stem cells
Visit the videos page. Click the button below, there are some great short educational and inspirational videos to watch!
A heartwarming video compilation of patients meeting the donors who saved their life! Stem cell donation is a life-changing experience not only for the patient but for the donor too!