RESIDENTS are being called on to join the Stem Cell Donor Registry and become a lifesaver.
Ahead of Stem Cell Awareness Day (October 9) NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed it needs 260 people from the region to sign up every month – around 60 a week – to increase the odds of finding a lifesaving stem cell donor for every patient who needs one.
Just 0.16% of the population of the West Midlands county are registered as potential stem cell donors through the NHS and there have been 27 stem cell donations made by West Midlands residents, through the NHS, in the last five years, saving or improving an average of five lives every year.
An increased number of people on the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry will see the number of donations rise and even more lives helped or saved.
The joining criteria has also changed to help boost recruitment, to now include all women aged 17-40.
The register previously only accepted men aged 17-40 and women within the same age range who are of Asian or Black heritage or other mixed ethnicity.
The change has been made because growing evidence has shown that age, rather than sex, is a more significant factor in the health and efficacy of stem cells.
Stem cell transplants are used to treat a number of diseases, including some forms of leukaemia and for many people they are the only chance of a cure.
Stem cells can be found in the bone marrow – a soft, spongy tissue at the centre of certain bones – and can produce all essential blood cells, including red and white cells and platelets.
For a successful stem cell transplant, both donor and recipient need matching tissue types – known as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type – and patients are more likely to match with donors of a similar ethnic heritage.
Patients of Asian and Black heritage, or from other mixed ethnicities are underrepresented on the register and are less likely to find a life-saving match, which is why women from these backgrounds have been able to sign up to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry before now.
When a patient needs a stem cell transplant, a global register of potential donors is searched, to find a registrant with matching tissue types. The odds of finding a match are significantly increased as more people sign up to the various global registers.
The NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry recruits from blood donors, by taking an extra blood sample at a regular donation appointment and is encouraging those who want to become stem cell donors, to register to give blood. Those who cannot donate blood, may be eligible to join one of the other UK registries.
Guy Parkes, Head of Stem Cell Donation and Transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “There is always a need for more stem cell donors and so we’re thrilled to now be able to welcome all women aged 17 – 40 to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry, too.
“Growing research has shown that donor age is an important factor when it comes to transplants, so we’re urging everybody under 40, male or female, to think about signing up.
“Registering to be a potential stem cell donor through NHS Blood and Transplant is really easy– once you’re signed up, there’s nothing to do, until you are found as a match and then donation is safe and easy. We would urge all eligible blood donors to say yes to stem cell donation and ask about signing up to the register at their next appointment – your stem cells could help to save a life.”
Find more on how to register and the donation process click here.
