THE FACTS OF MARROW TRANSPLANATION

A marrow transplant is simply the replacement of diseased marrow with marrow from a healthy donor.  Aside from leukemia patients, marrow transplants save those suffering from aplastic anemia, severe combined immune deficiency syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and radiation poisoning.  IF you turn out to be a match for someone, the rest is less complex than you’d expect.

First, you get a general anesthesia while doctors harvest 2% to 3% of your marrow from your hip area through special sterile needles.  You’ll be out of the hospital the next day.  You feel nothing during the procedure, but may experience some residual soreness in your lower back area for a few days.  The risks are minimal, and the potential for good vast.

If the transplant is successful, the new marrow begins to produce normal, healthy blood cells within two to three weeks. Your loss is small, and the patient receives the chance of a lifetime.

The National Marrow Donor Program offers lots more information.

And when you’re ready to be a hero, please visit City of Hope’s Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow.  They’ll walk you through the process.

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