MYTH:
All
bone marrow donations involve surgery.
FACT:
The
majority of donations do not involve surgery. Today, the
patient's doctor most often requests a peripheral blood
stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is non-surgical.
The
second way of donating is marrow donation, which is a surgical
procedure.
In each
case, donors typically go home the same day they donate.
MYTH:
Donating
is painful and involves a long recovery.
FACT:
There
can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of donating
PBSC. Due to taking a drug called filgrastim for five days
leading up to donation, PBSC donors may have headaches,
joint or muscle aches, or fatigue. PBSC donors are typically
back to their normal routine in one to two days.
Those
donating marrow receive general or regional anesthesia,
so they feel no pain during donation. Marrow donors can
expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for one
to two weeks afterward. Most marrow donors are back to
their normal activities in two to seven days.
MYTH:
Donating
is dangerous and weakens the donor.
FACT:
Though
no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely
any long-term side effects. Be The Match® carefully
prescreens all donors to ensure they are healthy and the
procedure is safe for them. We also provide support and
information every step of the way.
Because
only five percent or less of a donor's marrow is
needed to save the patient's life, the donor's immune
system stays strong and the cells replace themselves
within four to six weeks.
MYTH:
In bone
marrow donation, pieces of bone are removed from the donor.
FACT:
No pieces
of bone are taken during marrow donation. Only the liquid
marrow found inside the pelvic bone is needed to save the
patient's life.
