2018 August Articles Archives

Fast Facts for Potential Bone Marrow Donors

August is dedicated to raising Organ Donor Awareness, and it’s important to know that donation isn’t limited to the organs you can provide after your death. Becoming a bone marrow donor gives you the chance to help others on their journey to healing during your lifetime.

What is Bone Marrow & Why are Donors Needed?

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside the bones. It contains stem cells, undifferentiated cells that are able to become any type of specialised cell, in any part of the body. These cells have incredible healing potential, as they can replace damaged or diseased cells.

A bone marrow transplant can be used to help treat a variety of serious blood diseases, including leukaemia, aplastic anaemia, marrow failure, and immune deficiency disorders. These diseases mostly affect children and teenagers. In 25-30% of cases, a sibling can act as suitable bone marrow donor for the patient. But in 70-75% of cases, the sibling cells cannot be used, and another matching donor must be found.

Volunteer donors provide a small blood sample which is analysed and classified according to tissue type. This information is recorded in a bone marrow register, which is checked whenever a donor is required. It sounds simple enough, but because there are so many possible tissue types out there, the chance of finding a suitable donor is very small – just one in 100 000! So, the more people that volunteer to become donors, the better the chance of finding a match.

Often, the right donor is the patient’s only hope of survival. You might just be the hero they need!

The Transplant Process

During a transplant, the healthy stem cells are extracted from the donor’s blood. It’s a minor procedure with minimal discomfort. The stem cells are given to the patient, and begin to produce healthy new cells, usually within 15-30 days after the procedure. Think about it – it’s that easy to make a lasting difference in somebody’s life.

Do You Qualify as a Bone Marrow Donor?

There are a few key criteria a person must meet in order to donate bone marrow:

Between 18 and 45 years old
In general good health
Not at risk of contracting hepatitis or sexually transmitted diseases
Weight of over 50kg, with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30
Commitment to helping anyone in need of a transplant

To become a bone marrow donor, visit The Sunflower Fund website: www.sunflowerfund.co.za, or call them on 0800 12 10 82. You will be asked to donate two tubes of your blood for testing. Your results will be recorded, and if you ever come up as a patient match, the Registry will contact you. All costs involved in the transplant process will be carried by the patient.

Becoming a bone marrow donor costs you nothing, but to someone in need, it could mean everything.

Sources

Hopkins Medicine: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Sunflower Fund: http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za

South African Bone Marrow Registry: frequently asked questions. Retrieved from: http://www.sabmr.co.za

The Fascinating Field of Stem Cell Research

Stem cell technology is a controversial but groundbreaking field of medicine. These remarkable cells are produced by our own bodies, and have properties that make them priceless in the field of healthcare innovations.

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated “blank slate” cells that are considered the basic building blocks of our bodies. They have the potential to become any type of specialised cell, in any part of the body. They also have the ability to renew themselves and replace sick or damaged cells. This means they have incredible disease-fighting potential.

Types of Stem Cells and their Uses

Embryonic stem cells: Found in human embryos. These cells are extracted from embryos that may be discarded after successful in vitro fertilisation. They are very important because they are able to develop into any type of tissue in the body. However, the harvesting and use of these stem remains a controversial matter. Some people believe that life begins at conception, and that the embryo’s life shouldn’t be ended to benefit another. Embryonic stem cell technology is banned in some countries, and in others it is strictly controlled. In a promising development, scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell that exists in amniotic fluid, and this may provide an alternative to using embryonic cells.

Adult stem cells: Found in numerous organs and tissues. Most adult stem cells are more limited than their embryonic counterparts. They are only able to form new cells identical to the tissue in which they are found. They are still extremely useful however, as they repair and maintain these tissues and organs effectively.

Placental and umbilical cord stem cells: Found in the placenta. These cells are harvested from newborn babies, after the umbilical cord has been cut. They are considered to be the best possible form of “adult” stem cells, because they have not yet been exposed to any infections or become affected by immune reactions in the body. These cells are a 100% match for the child they are taken from, so they can be used in transplants for the child later in life, in case of any diseases or injuries. The cells also have a high possibility of being a transplant match for the child’s siblings and parents.

Haematopoetic stem cells (HSGs): Found in umbilical cord blood and human bone marrow. These stem cells are used to treat over 70 blood-related diseases, including leukaemia, blood cancers, lymphoma and sickle cell anaemia. They can also be provided to the patient through bone marrow transplants.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): Found in umbilical cord tissue and human fat cells. These cells can be artificially grown in a laboratory, which makes them a less controversial treatment. They can be used to restore burned and damaged skin, and repair nerve damage caused by strokes or Parkinson’s disease. MSCs are also used to regenerate heart muscle and repair cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments.

Storing Stem Cells

After harvesting, the cells are processed and stored in stem cell banks, according to international accreditation standards. Storage is carefully monitored, and stem cell banks comply with the Human Tissue Act. Many people choose to harvest and store their own stem cells, or their children’s stem cells, in case a medical need for them arises.

The field of stem cell research is still evolving, bringing with it a host of ethical dilemmas. The good news is that scientists are learning more every day, and are able to harness the power of these fascinating cells to the benefit of human health.

Sources

A quick guide to stem cells. Retrieved from: http://www.netcells.co.za/guide.php

Cryo-Save stem cell storage banks in South Africa. Retrieved from: http://www.cryo-save.co.za

Mandal, AM. Stem cell controversy. Retrieved from: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Stem-Cell-Controversy.aspx