Last week I donated bone marrow, I signed up on the register around 7 years back.
The experience was pretty easy, I was informed by email and phone that I was a potential match, had a local blood test taken and sent off to see if I was the best match. This came back suggesting I was. A nurse then visited me for a quick mini-medical at my home.
Around 90% of people will donate via peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC), with only 10% of donations requiring to be via bone marrow harvest (BMH). I was informed that I was the lucky 10% who were being requested via BMH.
A month prior to the procedure I was required to go for a medical, as I was donating via BMH this needed to be in London as that is where they undertake the BMH - if donating via PBSC then there are other centres available around the country, including Manchester.
The medical was simply some observations (BP, heart rate, height, weight), some bloods (19 vials for me!) and an ECG.
Once this was cleared I was booked into a fancy private hospital for a 2 night stay (one night prior to procedure, and one night post procedure), with accommodation and travel provided for myself and a companion (I took my wife).
Food expenses were also provided, and if my work was unable/unwilling to provide paid leave I would also have my salary covered for time taken off (recommended 1-2 weeks for BMH donation).
The procedure was done under general anaesthetic, so a quick trip down to theatre, had a nap then woke up and wheeled back to my private room (which included Sky and BT Sports to catch the football). Over the next two days I was provided with essentially unlimited free food and drink, and my wife took some time to explore London and grab some food on the expenses.
I had minor pain over the injection sites in the pelvis, think bruising from a fall or tightness post work out - 2 days of paracetamol was plenty for me and I haven't bothered with pain relief since. The main side effect is fatigue, and given that they took the maximum amount from me I have felt a bit tired and lightheaded since the procedure - I was anaemic and have 2 weeks of iron tablets to take, with a repeat blood test in a few weeks to confirm this has settled. But all in all less than a week later and I haven't got much to moan about.
The reason I'm sharing is that this was a pretty painless thing to have to go through in the long term for me, and it can potentially save a life.
I'd highly recommend people consider signing up to a register, I used Anthony Nolan (
https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/join-stem-cell-register?ref=google;cpc;tqix_20231027_rgd_scp_bau;donate stem cells;undefined) - typically the donors that are needed are younger males, and in particular those of ethnic minorities (Anthony Nolan only accept 16-30 y/o signing up, but other registers have varied age cut offs, e.g. Be the match accepts up to 40) - I appreciate that may well not be the demographic on here, but consider families/friends who fit the bill.
TLDR:
- I donated bone marrow via the "scary" method that only 10% will have to go through if donating, 90% donate via peripheral blood
- I barely suffered and will be back to work within a week (by choice!)
- It cost me nothing with all expenses covered
- Consider signing up to the register!
www.dkms.org.uk