Ampath Diagnostic Guide | Your Consulting Pathologists
🌐 www.ampath.co.za

🧬 What is a Stem Cell Transplant?

A stem cell transplant is a life-saving procedure used to treat serious blood and immune disorders such as:

• Leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells)
• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)
• Bone marrow failure (e.g. severe aplastic anaemia)
• Genetic blood and immune system disorders (e.g. sickle cell anaemia)

Ampath supports the national drive by the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) to recruit more donors.

🌟 Why Should You Become a Donor?

• Over 73,000 donors are currently listed on the SABMR
• More than 450 patients have received unrelated bone marrow transplants in South Africa
• SABMR works with 75+ international registries totalling ~33 million donors worldwide
• Donor matches are based on inherited tissue types, which vary by race and ethnicity
• The more diverse the donor pool, the better the chance of finding a match
• There is only a 1 in 100,000 chance of finding a perfect match
• Testing is painless and free

🩺 Donor Criteria

To register as a donor, you must be:

• Aged 18–45 years
• In good health (not at risk of hepatitis or STIs)
• Weigh over 50 kg with a BMI under 40
• Preferably a blood donor
• Willing to help any patient, not just family
• Resident in South Africa for at least 2 years after joining

🔗 More info and registration: www.sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor

📝 How to Become a Donor

1. Visit sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor
2. Review the eligibility criteria
3. Complete and return the donor application form to 📧 donors@sabmr.co.za
4. If eligible, you'll receive:
   • A buccal swab kit, OR
   • Instructions to visit a local SABMR site for sample collection
5. Follow the kit instructions
6. Your swabs will be analysed
7. Results will be ready in 4–8 weeks
8. You'll receive a donor membership card

🔍 What Happens After You Register?

You could remain on the registry for months or years before being matched.

If you're identified as a potential match:

1. SABMR will contact you for medical screening
2. Further blood tests will be done
3. If a transplant proceeds:
   • You’ll be referred to a specialist centre
   • A medical exam and stem cell collection will follow

💉 The Donation Procedure

1. You'll receive a five-day course of G-CSF injections to move stem cells into your bloodstream
2. Possible side effects include:
   • Headache
   • Bone pain
   • Flu-like symptoms (usually mild and temporary)
3. On donation day:
   • An IV line is inserted
   • Blood is circulated through a cell separator machine
   • The machine collects stem cells and returns your blood
   • The procedure lasts 4–6 hours per day, sometimes over two days
4. Post-procedure: You may feel tired for a few days

💰 All costs are covered by SABMR

❤️ Be Someone’s Tomorrow

You can be a hero.
Sign up, save lives, and help build a better future through stem cell donation.

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Stem Cell Transplant – Donor Information

Your Consulting Pathologists | Ampath National Laboratory Services
🌐 www.ampath.co.za

🧬 What is a Stem Cell Transplant?

A stem cell transplant is a life-saving procedure used to treat:

• Leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells)
• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)
• Bone marrow failure (e.g. severe aplastic anaemia)
• Genetic blood and immune disorders (e.g. sickle cell anaemia)

Ampath supports the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) to help recruit more donors.

💡 Why Should You Become a Donor?

• Over 73,000 donors are registered with SABMR
• 450+ patients have received unrelated donor transplants in SA
• The SABMR collaborates with 75+ international registries and has access to ~33 million donors worldwide
• Tissue types are inherited and more common in specific ethnic groups — diverse donor pools save lives
• The chance of finding a match is 1 in 100,000
• Testing is painless and free

🩺 Donor Criteria

To qualify, you should be:

• 18–45 years old
• In good health and not at risk for hepatitis or STIs
• Over 50 kg, with a BMI < 40
• Willing to help any patient in need
• A blood donor (preferable, not essential)
• Resident in South Africa for at least two years after joining

🔗 Full details: www.sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor

📝 How to Become a Donor

1. Visit www.sabmr.co.za/become-a-donor
2. Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria
3. Complete the donor application form and send it to:
   📧 donors@sabmr.co.za
4. If eligible, you’ll receive:
   • A buccal swab kit, or
   • Instructions to visit a local SABMR site for sample collection
5. Follow the swab instructions
6. Your sample is analysed in 4–8 weeks
7. You’ll receive a donor membership card

🔄 What Happens After You Register?

You may be on the registry for a few months or many years before being matched. Keep your contact details up to date.

If you're identified as a match:

1. SABMR will contact you
2. You'll undergo a medical assessment and blood tests
3. If the transplant proceeds:
   • You'll be referred to a specialist centre
   • A medical examination will be done
   • Stem cells will be collected

💉 Stem Cell Collection Process

1. Receive G-CSF injections for 5 days
   • Mobilises stem cells from bone marrow to bloodstream
   • You may experience headache, bone pain, or flu-like symptoms, which resolve after the injections stop
2. During collection:
   • An IV line connects to a cell separator machine
   • The machine collects stem cells and returns your blood
   • The procedure lasts 4–6 hours per day, possibly over two days
3. After donation:
   • You may feel tired for a few days
   • All costs are covered by the SABMR

❤️ Be Someone’s Tomorrow

You can be a hero.
Sign up to save lives. Be the match someone desperately needs.