Types of Bone Marrow Donation
There are two popular ways in which stem cells can be donated.
1. Peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC)
2. Marrow Harvest
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell collection (PBSC)
Peripheral blood stem cell collection is the latest method to retrieve stem cells from a donor. You are injected with a Filgrastim, a stem cell growth factor medication that increases your stem cell production. Then these stem cells are collected by a procedure called Apheresis, which is similar to dialysis. Blood is retrieved from a vein and sent to a system that collects the excess stem cells and blood is returned to you in the same process. Thus this is a much simpler procedure to donate stem cells.
PBSC is also the most prevalent method of donating stem cells.
Marrow Harvest
This is a surgical procedure that lasts for an hour or so where you are under general anesthesia. A small portion of the liquid bone marrow is removed underneath your hipbone/pelvic bone using sterile syringes. The removed portion is replenished automatically by your body within 4 to 6 weeks.