Stem cells have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into different cell types. They can come from cord blood, bone marrow, or voluntary donors who join stem cell registries. Registries help match donors to patients needing stem cell transplants to treat diseases like leukemia. To become a donor, individuals between 18-55 undergo testing and if matched, may be asked to donate stem cells through a non-surgical blood collection process. Donors play a vital role in helping patients find matches to save their lives.

1. FAQs ABOUT DONOR Registration

2. 1.What is stem cell ?
Stem cell are like building blocks and give rise to
different type of cell

3. Stem cells have a unique property of self renewal

4. 2.Where do these stem cells come from?
.4
.
Lab
Cord
blood
Voluntary
donors
(MUD)

5. 3.What is stem cell registry?
 Stem cell registry acts as a communicating
medium between voluntary stem cell donor and
patient in need of stem cell transplant
 Stem cell registry creates awareness among people
about stem cell donation and recruits voluntary
donors (MUD).

6. 4.Why is there a need for people to join The Stem
Cell Registry?
 Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and
lymphoma, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases depend
on the Stem Cell Registry to find a match to save their life.
 Patients need donors who are a genetic match

7. 5.Is There Any Age Restriction to become a stem
cell donor ?
 Yes, for donor registry it should be between 18-
55due to some guidelines of the registry
 But in Case of your relatives You can donate at any
age if you are willing to donate and your health
condition is meeting guidelines

8. 6. How do I become a stem Cell donor?
 The first step to become a stem cell donor is to join
The Stem cell Registry.
 If a doctor selects you as a match for a patient, you
may be asked to donate Stem Cells.

9. 7.Why Should I Donate my stem cells?
 Chances of finding a successful match with in a
family (related donor) varies from 20-25%

10. 8. Why is there sometimes a cost associated
with joining the registry?
 This includes the cost of the testing needed to
match donors to searching patients and related
costs
 Your contribution will make it possible for more
people like you to join in the future

11. 9.What is my commitment if I join?
 Respond quickly if you are contacted as a potential
match for a patient
 You have the right to change your mind about being a
donor at any time
 If you decide you do not want to donate, let us know
right away

12. 10. What is in it for me ?
 Undergo through medical checkup
 Typed for HLA antigens
 You and your family members will always get a
priority ,if the need arise, in search for donor

13. 11. Why does a person have to be 18 to join?
Can't my parent sign the consent for me?
 Donation is a medical (for PBSC donation) or surgical
(for marrow donation) procedure and the person
undergoing the procedure must legally be able to give
informed consent

14. 12. Does race or ethnicity affect matching?
 Racial and ethnic heritage are very important
factors. Patients are most likely to match someone
of their own race or ethnicity

15. 13. If a patient matches my type, when do I
get a call to donate my stem cells?
 If you are an appropriate match for the patient You
get a call from the registry

16. 14.When does the patient receive my stem cells?
 After the patient has undergone intensive
chemotherapy and sometimes radiation therapy to
eradicate their disease, they will receive your
blood stem cells

17. 15.What is the process of stem cell donation
?
 The actual process of collecting the stem cells
involves a few hours of your time seated in a
comfortable lounge chair

18. •A specialized machine called Apheresis machine will
simply separate and collect the stem cells from your
blood stream.
•Collection is done via sterile single-use needles
inserted into the veins of your arms to collect the stem
cells as well as to return other blood cells and fluid
back into your body.
•Most people recover very quickly from this procedure
and resume normal activity within a few days.

19. 16.What are the odds of matching HLA
types?
• Siblings have a 1/4 chance of matching at each loci
 Probability of finding an unrelated donor in India
is 1:20,000

20. 17.How many times can I donate?
 Because your blood stem cells completely
regenerate, you can donate after every 15 days i.e.
2 times in a month

21. 18.What do I have to do after donation?
 A proper well balanced diet is essential.
Cereals, pulses, rice, dairy products (milk, yoghurt,
cheese etc), beans, eggs, vegetable and lots of fresh
fruit
 Meat, poultry, fish are also recommended for non
vegetarians

22. 19.What are the risks factor for stem cell
donation?
 There are no known long term side effects of
donating stem cells
 Injections of growth factor can cause body ache,
headache and tiredness; usually these side effects
wear off in a day or two
 During the process the donor may feel light
headed, experience chills, and numbness around
the lips. This is also temporary and lasts only for
a few hours

23. 20.Can I withdraw my name from the registry?
 Being a donor with stem cell registry is a voluntary
process. A donor is free to withdraw his/her name
from the registry at any time

24. Medical Questionnaire:
 The medical guidelines protect your health as a potential
donor, as well as the health of transplant patients.
 Age
 AIDS/HIV
 Allergies
 Arthritis
 Asthma
 Autoimmune Diseases
 Back, Neck, Hip and/or Spine
 Bleeding Problem

25. •Blood Pressure
•Cancer
•Cold or Flu
•Depression
•Diabetes
•Epilepsy
•Heart Disease/Stroke
•Hepatitis
•Hospitalization/Surgery
•Kidney Problems
•Liver Disease

26. •Men Who Have Sex with Men
•Organ or Tissue Transplant
•Piercing (Body, Skin, Ear)
•Pregnancy
•Sexually Transmitted Diseases
•Tattoos
•Travel/Malaria Risk
•Tuberculosis
•Weight