Stem cell transplants can cure an MPN
A certain percentage of MPN patients will have to make the choice to undergo a stem cell transplant. MPN patients can be cured by healthy blood stem cells from compatible donors, often family members. Stem cell transplants can also be from complete strangers, but the most important requirement is a genetic match of donor and patient.
If you are an MPN patient needing a transplant, further details are available at the allogeneic transplant information on the Leukaemia Foundation website.
Practical support for stem cell transplant patients
If your haematologist has referred you for a stem cell transplant and you live in a regional or rural area, or a city that doesn’t have a transplant unit, you will most likely need to travel to a major city hospital to receive this treatment. It is usual for patients to remain in hospital for some time, followed by a further period of time where you are required to remain very close to the hospital.
There are a number of possible sources of assistance for patients and their support person in these circumstances. The Leukaemia Foundation may be able to provide accommodation or to assist with the costs of accommodation for you close to the hospital. Some private health funds have provisions for some assistance for this purpose, and State or territory governments may also be able to assist with some costs.
The Leukaemia Foundation has support officers in each state and territory who can provide you with more specific information about these arrangements.
If you are someone interested in helping save a life, please read on…..
The need for stem cell donors, 18-35 years old
Because of the need for a very close genetic match, there needs to be a large pool of stem cell donors to increase the chances of finding a compatible donor. There is a huge need to increase the number of registered stem cell donors in Australia, particularly of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. For example each year:
- around 1200 Australian patients search for a donor
- around 400 Australian patients receive potentially life saving cells
- yet only 80 receive them from a fellow Australian stem cell donor.
18-35 year olds are the group needed to register
Yet only 0.2% of the eligible population (18-35 year old) in Australia is registered.
Currently, the vast majority of transplants for Australian patients come from overseas.
What does registering as a donor involve?
A cheek swab! Registering to be a stem cell donor is really that simple. It only involves a cheek swab.
Most people who register are never actually called upon to donate. But if you are a match, you have the power to save someone’s life.
And if you match…. the stem cells are taken from a blood donation. Imagine how it would feel if you could save a life, simply by donating blood.
Image: registering as a donor simply involves taking a cheek swab!
The website Stem Cell Donors Australia explains everything about becoming a donor and the donation process.
It also has patient stories as well as questions and answers.
So who would you be helping if you match?
Myelofibrosis patient Sharon’s story featured in the Leukaemia Foundation’s newsletter back in 2021. Sharon is from an ethnic minority group and is still seeking a compatible donor. Her youngest child is only ten.
Sharon has also been interviewed on ABC radio to raise awareness about the need for stem cell donors and her own quest for a donor.
Image: Sharon is one of the many Australians who needs to find a stem cell donor
There are many more MPN patients, many even younger than Sharon, in need of a transplant so please consider registering, and especially if you have a diverse ethnic background.
