Stem cell therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking field in medical science, offering hope for treating a range of diseases and even advancing techniques like 3D bioprinting of human tissues and organs.
In South Africa, stem cell transplants are currently the only effective treatment for blood cancers. However, despite the critical need, only 0.04% of South Africans are registered as stem cell donors, and someone is diagnosed with blood cancer every 72 minutes.
“Stem cell therapy represents a significant advancement in medicine, but many people still have misconceptions about what stem cells are, how they are matched, and how transplants work.
“It’s crucial to address these issues to overcome the stigma associated with stem cell use,” said Theo Gerdener, the Medical Director at DKMS Africa.
A big problem with stem cell donation in South Africa is that many people who sign up to be donors don’t follow through.
Between 23% and 56% of potential donors drop out, which can slow down finding a match for patients who need life-saving transplants.
This dropout rate can hurt the chances of survival for those waiting for a transplant.
What could be driving this issue?
Lack of awareness: Many people might not fully understand the donation process or its importance, leading them to back out.
Misconceptions and fears: Some potential donors may have fears or misunderstandings about what the donation involves, which might make them hesitate.
Logistical concerns: The process of donating may seem inconvenient or disruptive, causing people to reconsider their commitment.
Health and safety concerns: Concerns about the impact on their own health or safety might also drive people to withdraw.
Fortunately, donating stem cells is a safe and straightforward process.
During Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation and Leukaemia Awareness Month, from August 15 to October 15, DKMS Africa is working to tackle misconceptions and encourage more people to follow through with their registration and donation commitments.
Palesa Mokomele, Head of Community Engagement and Communications at DKMS Africa, highlights some of the key issues:
Myth 1: Donating stem cells is a painful surgical procedure.
Fact: For over 90% of donors, stem cell collection involves a simple, non-surgical procedure called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) collection. This process is similar to donating blood.
Donors rest comfortably while a needle is placed in each arm. Blood is drawn from one arm, passed through a machine that separates the stem cells, and the remaining blood is returned to the body through the other arm.
The procedure is generally not painful, though some donors might experience mild side effects like headaches, fatigue, or muscle aches, which usually go away quickly.
For a small number of donors (around 2%), stem cells are collected directly from the bone marrow in the pelvic bone.
This minimally invasive procedure is done under general anaesthesia. While some donors may feel temporary discomfort or soreness, it's often similar to the sensation of a bruise.
Myth 2: Donating takes too long and disrupts my life too much.
Fact: The donation process is designed to be manageable and involves several steps, including a briefing call, a health check, and an informative session. The actual donation typically takes less than a day (4-6 hours) for the PBSC method.
If you are donating bone marrow, the procedure involves a short hospital stay of about three days.
This includes check-in on the first day, the procedure on the second day, and discharge on the third day. The process is streamlined to ensure minimal disruption to your life.
Myth 3: Donating stem cells means missing a lot of work.
Fact: Most donors can quickly return to their jobs after donating stem cells. For Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donations, donors often resume work within two days.
If you donate bone marrow, you might need a bit more recovery time, so plan for about one week off.
Myth 4: My boss won’t be okay with me taking time off to donate.
Fact: Many employers are supportive of employees who donate stem cells. Most companies appreciate this generous act and respond positively.
If your company doesn’t offer paid leave for donation, DKMS provides financial assistance to cover lost wages.
Myth 5: Donating stem cells will cost me money
Fact: Donating stem cells is completely free for the donor. DKMS covers all related expenses, including travel, meals, and accommodation if needed. They also offer financial support for a companion to join you at the hospital.
Your health insurance won’t be involved, and DKMS handles any necessary follow-up care.
“Every registered donor brings hope to a patient battling blood cancer. By staying committed to the cause, you help to ensure a readily available pool of potential matches, increasing a patient’s chance of receiving a transplant.
“Let’s give them a second chance at life!” she highlighted.
∎ For more information, visit the DKMS Africa website or call 0800 12 10 82.