Thread: Bone marrow & stem cell donation?

I'm considering becoming a bone marrow/stem cell donor, has anyone any experience of this? I am wondering about procedure and how much it hurts.

WARNING

Warning: This is an Old Thread This discussion is older than 60 days. information contained in it may no longer be current

I haven't personally, but my boss has done this - his mom died of Leukimia and he really wanted to do something good for someone - I think his marrow went to a little girl, it's such an amazing thing to do for someone, let alone someone you don't know.

As far as I know everything went well, and he didn't feel too bad afterwards. He did say that he wouldn't recommend playing football the day afterwards though... xx

Although I haven't donated personally I have experience of seeing how bone marrow transplants have saved childrens lives and recommend visiting Matt's Match for info. Matt is a teenager I met as he and my son were on the same ward and he set this up after his own experience. You could start teh ball rolling as simply as giving a saliva sample. x

Got myself on the register, lots of people said scary things about how much bone marrow hurt but seems it usually happens under general anaesthetic anyway. Worth it if you can save someones life plus not have their family lose someone.

You're a brave woman Glorian,and for someone you don't know too...it's lovely and warming to know that there are still genuinly nice and selfless people out there. I've heard that bone marrow is a painful process but physical pain goes away the emotional pain of losing someone not so much so its a more than worthwhile trade...good for you...santa should bring you extra lovely things this year!! Xx

I saw this Children in Need piece about a little boy who died cos his marrow donor fell through and thought it would be really something to be able to stop that happening, might never get called to do it but you never know!

Bethany Mickleburgh, bone marrow donor, leicester tigers | This is Leicestershire

A massive campaign for donors happened in Leicester last month. I had heard that donating Bone marrow was horribly painful and shamefully was too worried to truly consider it.

But, thats just the hearsay, and the fact that you and all of these other people are signing up means that hopefully the truth about the positives far outweighing the negatives will come out.

Glorian, You are honestly one of the most selfless people I know and love goes to you!

Well apparently you are under general to get it done so dont see how it can hurt that much, its not like you are awake and not numbed when they stick a needle in your bones. That reassured me. Normally apparently there is flu-like symptons and a bit of back pain. I bet in older times it hurt like MF, but seems they have streamlined it a bit now.