With almost 6 million donors recorded in Brazil, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is hope for patients with serious diseases; Learn the criteria to donate
THE National register of bone marrow donors (Redome) announced in July 2024 that the Brazil It has 5.78 million registered donors. Despite this significant number, 650 people are still waiting for an invented transplant, that is, when the donor and receiver are not relatives.
The procedure, popularly known as bone marrow transplantation, is a vital treatment for different tumors, such as leukemia and lymphomas, as well as other serious blood and immune system diseases.
What is Redome?
The Redome is the Brazilian recording of the donors of volunteers of the bone marrow, administered in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Centralize the data of those who are willing to donate, allowing doctors to find potential compatibility for waiting patients. With so much capacity, the Redome occupies the position of the largest bank of the world’s marrow donor in the world, behind only the States United and from Germany.
How compatibility works
Hematopoietic stem cells (present in the bone marrow) are responsible for the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. To perform a transplant, it is essential that there is a genetic compatibility between donor and receiver, determined by the histocompatibility examination (HLA).
This factor reduces the possibilities of refusal of transplantation, but also makes the complex process: many of the recorded never give, precisely because of the difficulty in finding a suitable “correspondence”.
Who can register as a donor
To become a possible donor, it is necessary to satisfy three basic criteria:
- Having in 18 and 35 years at the time of registration;
- Be healthy;
- Have none of the demanding diseases for donation (hepatitis C, HIV, cancer, autoimmune diseases, Guillain-Barrédisease CrohnEpilepsy not controlled for at least 3 years, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, extra -dusty tuberculosis and schizophrenia).
After registration, the donor remains active in the Redome up to 60 years. The preference for young people occurs because the survival of the transplanted patient is higher when the donor is less than 40 years old.
Step by step to be a donor
- Initial registration: It can be made by the website or by the Redome application or directly on a blood center;
- Blood test: Conduct in person in a blood center, a sample is collected for HLA analysis;
- Data update: It is essential to keep the phone and the address correct so that, in case of compatibility, the contact is immediate;
- Confirmation of compatibility: If there is a compatible patient, the donor undergoes new exams. If approved, it collects stem cells.
As the donation happens
There are three ways to collect hematopoietic stem cells: drilling, apheresis and blood coding of the umbilical cord. In case of living donors, the first two are the most common. The puncture is performed in an operating room under anesthesia. The marrow is taken from the bone from the pelvis through the drilling. In Aforese, the donor receives a five -day drug that increases the amount of stem cells in the blood. Then it passes through a process similar to blood donation, without the need for hospitalization.
After the collection, the material is stored in special bags, frozen and transported to the patient in controlled conditions. The body naturally recomposes the stem cells donated in about two weeks. Although temporary adverse effects may occur (such as pain in light or tiredness), the procedure is considered safe.
A gesture that transforms life
Despite the criteria of bureaucracy and health, every new recording can mean the possibility of saving someone who has to face a serious illness. Bone marrow transplant is, for hundreds of patients, the only possibility of care. The donation is an act of solidarity that overcomes individual barriers. Those who have recorded increases the chances of saving another life.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
