Researchers began looking into the advantages of harvesting adult stem cells to treat serious diseases over forty years ago. Scientists discovered that a least two different types of stem cells are contained in bone marrow – hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow stromal cells.
How Stem Cells Are Harvested From the Donor
A sample of blood is taken from the stem cell donor so it can be typed. If a patient with a matching HLA blood type is in need, the donor will be notified. A few days prior to harvesting adult stem cells, the donor is given a medicine to force the stem cells out of the bone marrow and into general circulation.
In a process known as apheresis, blood is taken from the donor via catheter or IV. The stem cells are harvested from the blood before it is returned to the donor. Unless a stem cell donor is of advanced age, the harvesting process typically takes about a day to collect the necessary cells for transplantation.
If enough stem cells can be extracted, the next step is a bone marrow transplant. If insufficient stem cells are obtained using this procedure, a surgical bone marrow method will be used to harvest the necessary cells.
What to Expect As a Cell Donor
When you donate stem cells, your calcium levels get out of balance, which can lead to a tingling sensation, especially in the lips. You can chew on an antacid to ease this discomfort.
As the cells are being harvested, a nurse will be with you the entire time. Harvesting adult stem cells requires you to lie in bed throughout the entire process hooked to a machine. You can pass the time by bringing something to read with you, a laptop or a friend to keep you company.
Once the cells have been harvested, you can go. The cells will be frozen on site, or sent elsewhere to be frozen. It is best if after harvesting adult stem cells they are kept in storage at the location of the eventual transplantation. However, these stem cells are completely portable. In fact, adult stem cells are transported from one facility to another on a regular basis as standard practice.
The one question that you must answer on your own about harvesting adult stem cells is when to become a donor. Age and overall health must be considered in addition to an assessment of your bone marrow and your personal risk for lymphoma. It is up to you to decide whether you feel that it is best for your stem cells to be harvested now and put away in long term storage, or you may choose to reserve the harvesting procedure for a time when a patient is in need.
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