We’re all about real-world perspectives, which is why it’s important to share the incredible stories of how giving back can make a tangible difference in communities around the world. Whether it’s by providing meals for families in need or helping provide education and training for people that wouldn’t have access to them otherwise, donating to those less fortunate has an incredibly positive impact.
However, there’s another type of donation that goes beyond providing food and resources; donating bone marrow. What’s more, this has the potential to save a person’s life. Bone marrow donation is a process in which healthy bone marrow from donor volunteers is used to replace defective or damaged bone marrow in patients suffering from certain disorders, including leukemia and lymphoma. This type of donation can be done via exchanging blood transfusions or through donating bone marrow directly.
When a patient needs a bone marrow transplant, the only way to get it is through a donation from a volunteer donor. Considering that there are currently over 12 million registered bone marrow donors worldwide and many more that donate regularly, this is incredibly life-saving news for those in need. The success rate of this treatment has steadily risen over the years and now stands at around 90%.
At this stage, we should note that becoming a donor is very simple. All it takes is filling out an online registration form, getting tested for compatibility with potential patients, and then signing up to donate. Once you’re approved as a donor, you’ll be placed on the registry list and eligible to participate in the bone marrow donation process. While the process differs between registries, you’ll normally sit on the list until a potential match arises and you can jump into action. If you’re a potential match for someone in need, you’ll then undergo further tests just to make sure that the donation will be a success.
As we’ve seen, donating bone marrow can make a huge difference in people’s lives and is one of the most selfless things you can do as an individual. It’s also worth noting that there are many organizations dedicated to helping find donors for those in need.
Who Needs a Bone Marrow Donation?
Bone marrow donations are typically used to treat patients with blood cancers or other disorders that affect the production of normal, healthy blood cells. Some of these include leukemia (acute and chronic), lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, as well as aplastic anemia and inherited metabolic diseases.
In addition to those who suffer from blood-related diseases, bone marrow donations are also often used to treat people with inherited immune system disorders, such as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID). SCID is a genetic disorder which means that affected individuals cannot produce their own antibodies and other vital components of their immune system.
Summary
If you have any questions, whether it’s the bone marrow donation age limit, how the process works, or simply what makes it worthwhile, visit the website of a registry and get started today. It’s a small effort that can make an incredibly big difference in someone else’s life, and we hope you’ll join the fight to help those in need. Donating bone marrow may just be one of the most meaningful things you do in your lifetime!
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