12 May 2017 Bone marrow: be someones match A bone-marrow donation is not a scary procedure and doesnt involve drilling into your bones. We found out more.

Unfortunately many people still believe that donating bone marrow means doctors will need to drill into your bones. The reality is the donation process requires no surgery, no general anaesthetic and no drilling.

South African patients who have leukaemia or other blood disorders need a life-saving stem cell transplant and rely on the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) to find a match.

The challenges faced in growing the SABMR lies in the sentence itself, says Alana James, CEO of the Sunflower Fund. Its called The South African Bone Marrow registry, so when people see the word bone marrow they go Oh no I cant do that, it will hurt!

Understanding bone marrow

Bone marrow is found inside your bones its a soft, fatty tissue that helps with the production of red blood cells (to carry oxygen), white blood cells (to find infection) and platelets (to prevent bleeding). Some of the cells in the bone marrow can be pushed into the blood stream, where it can be collected and then used to help someone in need of a donation.

Real-life hero

Carey Symons, a blood stem cell donor and long-time support of The Sunflower Fund, was on the registry for 10 years before she was called to help a leukaemia patient.

The stats of a perfect match are 1 in 100 000 so you can only imagine my joy in being that 1 in 100 000 and that I was able to contribute to giving someone a second chance.

She travelled from Durban to Mediclinic Constantiaberg in Cape Town where she had a series of painless Neupogen injections that helped stimulate the production and release of blood stem cells.

Three days of injections later she was able to begin the donation process.

1. Two needles (similar to those used when you donate blood) were inserted in each arm. 2. Blood was drawn from one arm and circulated through a cell-separator machine. 3. Her stem cells were collected and the remaining blood was returned through the other arm.

Typically, the donation process takes between four and six hours.

I realised that the day I signed as a donor, I was only hoping to make a difference. I will never know whose life I made a difference to, and part of that mystery excites me. Its a blessing to give without knowing and without being thanked.

Harsh reality

There are just under 74 000 donors on the registry, but at least 400 000 are needed.

We definitely still have a mountain to climb and are committedly doing so. Registering as a donor on the SABMR is a simple process and can be very rewarding, says James. You could be someones perfect match.

There is a 1 in 100 000 chance of being a match. (Image: iStock)

Be someones 1 in 100 000

Signing up to be a donor is simple- if you do meet the criteria, you will receive a reference number and form to fill out. Next, youll go to your nearest Donor Recruitment Clinic where theyll take two test tubes of blood.

Your blood is analysed and put onto the national database. Unfortunately the tissue typing test is expensive (it costs R2 000) but you can make a donation to help free up their funds.

Youll receive your donor card in six to eight weeks, and if youre ever a match for a patient, you will be called.

Read more:

CT teen desperately needs bone marrow transplant

URGENT need for more bone marrow donors in SA

Needed: Black bone marrow donors

A leukaemia patient who had recently undergone a bone marrow transplant received a massive surprise when Taylor Swift visited him n hospital. When she saw that he had a keyboard in his room she asked him to play for her. As he plays Adele's "Someone like you", Taylor joins in, singing along!

CANSAs purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in South Africa. Its mission is to be the preferred non-profit organisation that enables research, educates the public and provides support to all people affected by cancer. Questions are answered by CANSAs Head of Health Professor Michael Herbst and Head of Advocacy Magdalene Seguin. For more information, visit cansa.org.za.

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