Brazil has the third largest bank of volunteer donors in the world
Summary
Brazil has the third largest bank of volunteer donors of the bone marrow in the world and donation, which can be carried out for drilling or Afranica, is essential to treat diseases such as leukemias and lymphomas, which require genetic compatibility with the patient.
Bone marrow transplantation (TMO) is a type of treatment suitable for diseases that affect blood cells such as leukemia, lymphomas, marrow aplasia, immunodeficiency syndromes and multiple myelomas. In all cases, the procedure is essential to offer the patient a new possibility of conducting a healthy life.
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At Bahian Catarine Barreto was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 32 and marrow transplantation was what guaranteed his chances of healing. Transplanted six months ago, it is currently outside the risk area for cancer recidivism.
The TMO replaces the sick or lacking bone marrow with a healthy one, considered fundamental in the treatment of the disease, according to the Ministry of Health. However, for the procedure to be performed, the patient must find a compatible donor.
Compatibility depends on several genetic factors and ethnic groups of donors, but the possibilities increase when they belong to the same population. Therefore, the greater the number of registered donors, the greater the chances of finding a compatible.
“You can literally save someone’s life. There are people who die because they don’t have a compatible donor. Maybe it exists, but the donor has never introduced himself. He is out there, all over the world.[Quando adoeci,] I was able to influence some people to register as marrow donors. I was very happy with it, “said Catarine in an interview with Earth.
About 30 years after the first marrow transplant made in Brazil, celebrated this month, the country today has the third largest bank of volunteer donors in the world, behind only the United States and Germany. It is also the largest bank with exclusively public funding.
According to the data of the Brazilian register of voluntary donors of the bone marrow (Redome), there are more than 5.9 million people registered. See how to participate:
How to be a donor
The registration of volunteer donors is made in the blood centers available throughout the country. On site, the interested party must present an original identity document and fill in a form with their personal information.
Collection of a blood sample (5 ml) for HLA typing tests – fundamental for the compatibility of the transplant. These data will be included in the Redome system and, in case of identification of compatibility with a patient, you will be contacted to perform other tests.
Registration will remain active in the record until you turn 60.
Who can give
Becoming a bone marrow donor is necessary:
- Have between 18 and 35 years;
- Be healthy;
- They have no infectious diseases transmitted in the blood (such as HIV infection or hepatitis);
- Do not present the history of neoplastic disease (cancer), hematological or autoimmune (such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis);
How the donation is made
The collection of hematopoietic stem cells is performed in transplant centers or public or private blood centers in two ways:
- Punishment in the rear pelvic region (hip bone): the procedure occurs in a surgical center, epidural or general anesthesia, and lasts about 90 minutes. The donor must be hospitalized for 24 hours.
- AFérese donation: the cells are collected directly from the bloodstream, through an apheresis procedure that lasts about 3-4 hours but, in this case, the donor should receive a 5-day drug to stimulate stem cells.
Do you have any risk?
No, but there are some discomfort. In puncture donation, the donor usually reports pain in the hip region, but tends to disappear in a few days. According to the Ministry of Health, most donors can return to their usual activities after a week.
In the donation by the peripheral blood, the donor can have a flirtation during the use of drugs to stimulate hematopoietic stem cells, but can return to their activities the day after the donation.
All these possibilities are discussed with the donor during clinical evaluation.
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.
