Blood Component Therapy
Modern technology has enabled the blood services to make the most of each donation by dividing up a unit of blood into many life-saving parts.  Thus a “whole blood” donation is separated into red cells, platelets and plasma.

Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is the process where a unit of blood is taken from a donor, the red cells separated and given back to the donor.  The needed plasma and platelets are collected for various medical applications.  Because the red cells are returned a plasma donor can donate as frequently as every 2 weeks.

Platelets
Platelets are critically needed to help control bleeding and are used to treat trauma victims, bone marrow transplant recipients and those with leukaemia and cancer, whose platelets are destroyed by chemotherapy and radiation.  Because platelets only last five days, a constant supply is vitally important for hospital patients.

Plasma
Plasma is critically needed by burn patients, accident victims and some organ transplant recipients.  Plasma can be given as often as twice a month and can be frozen for up to one year.

Stem Cells
The origin of all cells are stem cells.  Stem cells are collected on request by medical oncologists or the bone marrow foundation.  These are collected by a special cell separation instrument which harvests the stem cells required for a patient.  Stem cells are generally used for cancer patients.

Bone Marrow and Becoming a Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donor
Each year thousands of people with fatal bone marrow diseases reach a stage where their only hope of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a donor who shares the same tissue type.

Bone marrow, found in the centre of all large bones, is where new primitive blood cells, known as blood stem cells, are produced. Blood stem cells develop into mature blood cells: white cells (needed to fight infection), red cells (needed to carry oxygen to and remove waste from organs and tissues) and platelets (which are needed to stop bleeding).

When essential bone marrow is destroyed by disease or by the treatment to eradicate leukaemia, blood stem cell transplantation from a matching donor provides the greatest chance of recovery. The donor’s healthy blood stem cells are infused into the patient’s blood stream and if accepted (engrafted) begin producing normal blood cells.

Blood stem cells are also found in the circulating blood stream (peripheral blood) as well as the marrow, but in smaller numbers.  The stem cells can be obtained from the donor by collection from the peripheral blood on a machine called a cell separator. It is equally efficient and comparable to marrow for the recipient, but much less trouble for the donor.

This simple, minor medical procedure, with minimal discomfort, entails you being connected to the machine by an intravenous line (similar to donating platelets) Only the stem cells are collected and your own blood is returned to you.

The Sunflower Fund is a partner and SANBS works hand in hand to help ensure that the bone marrow registry is expanded in South Africa.  To find out more about the criteria for becoming a bone marrow stem cell donor you can call The Sunflower Fund on their toll free number 0800 12 10 82 or visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za.