If you're aged between 16-30 and in good health (which is to say, not listed as a medical exemption - e.g. I'm not exactly "healthy" but am healthy enough to donate), please do sign up. This applies particularly to the main demographic of this site - which is men. If you are not white then it's all the more crucial: currently, just 20% of all minority ethnic people in need receive a good match for a stem cell transplant.
I happened to have donated my stem cells a few years ago to someone who needed them and was one of the 90% who donate peripheral blood stem cells. It is a very easy process all told - get G-CSF injections in the week before (maybe you'll get flu-like symptoms or headaches - I got mild aches); sit in a bed for like 6 hours and read a book/watch some telly while hooked up to the PBSC machine; and that's basically it.
I cannot stress how incredibly easy and minimally inconvenient it was to do this. Even if it's a bone marrow donation, that's not exactly pleasant, but it is a cakewalk compared to the things those with a blood disorder need to survive.
Please, please sign up - or if you can't, then please donate to Anthony Nolan or similar.
Wonderful post, Paddy.
Jan was fortunate in that her condition meant they could harvest and then use her own stem cells, and our Danny was fortunate to have a brother, his hero Robert, who was a match for his own transplant.
Others are not so lucky and have to hope a match can be found on the database. I've seen stem cell harvesting twice now (I don't wish to see it again!) and can confirm the process is as Paddy explains.
If you are able, please consider donating - what can be more fulfilling than to give the gift of life to a fellow human being.
Great to read Bob. I completely missed the last post you put up about Jan going in on the 6th. Wishing her a speedy recovery and you and Danny and Robert all the best
Such fantastic news @bobmunro and I was rooting for your family all the way. I do have a question, and happy for you to DM me if you'd rather not say here... My mother in law has recently been diagnosed with myeloma, and has been offered what sounds like a very similar stem cell transfusion to your wife's. I just wanted to understand a bit more about it, because she's in two minds about it and having to stay in hospital for so long
There's only one thing in life more important than your health, that's the health of your nearest and dearest. Excellent news Bob. Best wishes with a full recovery.
Hi Bob I'm so sorry I missed this thread until now. I'm truly delighted for Jan, you and your whole family that the transplant has been successful. What hell Jan has been through on her own over the last few weeks. I'm sure she found strength from the amazing love of her family. Fantastic news that puts everything into perspective and even the "Charlton miracle" totally into the shade. Very best wishes for Jan's full recovery and to all of you for a much happier future. Cheers PM
Comments
I'm so sorry I missed this thread until now.
I'm truly delighted for Jan, you and your whole family that the transplant has been successful. What hell Jan has been through on her own over the last few weeks. I'm sure she found strength from the amazing love of her family.
Fantastic news that puts everything into perspective and even the "Charlton miracle" totally into the shade.
Very best wishes for Jan's full recovery and to all of you for a much happier future.
Cheers
PM