Bone Marrow
THE IMPORTANCE OF BONE MARROW AND STEM CELLS
An Invigorating Procedure
The first successful bone marrow transplant occurred in 1968, which lead
to an entirely new approach to treating life-threatening blood diseases,
leukemia, aplastic anemia, and many other acute diseases. During the process
of chemotherapy, it not only kills the cancerous cells and white blood
cells, but it also depletes bone marrow cells. Bone marrow cells are important
because they contain the stems cells, which can be understood as 'generic'
cells that can be formed into red or white blood cells and bone marrow.
These stem cells located within the bone marrow are what allow for the
immune system to redevelop healthily, whereas if they did not receive
stem cells from a volunteer donor, the chance of death is drastically
higher.
This medical breakthrough provided critically ill persons with a second
chance to life with a procedure never practiced before. Unfortunately,
many of these life-threatening diseases go into remission and will eventually
result in an unwarranted death. Doctors first look within the family in
order to locate matching tissue donor types, but if a type is not found,
they are then referred to the National Marrow Donor Registry, where volunteer
donors enlist with their blood and tissue type.
The National Marrow Donor Program
'The National Marrow Donor Program ( NMDP ) provides marrow and blood
stem cell transplants for patients with leukemia and other life-threatening
blood diseases. Currently, more than 1,400 patients receive transplants
through the NMDP each year. However, the number of patients who could
benefit from this life-saving treatment is several times greater, and
the NMDP is working to close the gap.'
How the NMDP Works
'The NMDP matches volunteer stem cell donors with patients, arranges collections
and transportation of stem cells, and manages patient support and research
programs. The NMDP fulfills its mission of saving lives through the assistance
and support of an international network of donor centers ( which educate,
recruit and manage donors ), recruitment groups ( which recruit donors
), recruitment groups ( which recruit donors ), collection centers ( which
collect marrow ), apheresis centers ( which collect blood stem cells ),
transplant centers ( which perform transplants and care for patients )
and laboratories ( which conduct tissue typing ).'
Who Needs a Stem Cell Transplant?
'Stem cell transplants are most frequently used to treat leukemia and
other life-threatening blood diseases. Each year, more than 30,000 children
and adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with diseases for which a stem cell
transplant can be a cure. Only 30% will find a matched donor in their
families. The other 70% must search for an unrelated donor.'
Why Is a Diverse Registry Needed?
'Approximately 4 million volunteer donors are listed on the NMDP Registry.
The NMDP is working to recruit more minority donors for the Registry.
Based on the NMDP's experience, volunteer donors from minority communities
are most likely to add new HLA types not currently available on the Registry.
By diversifying the Registry, the NMDP will be able to offer all patients
an equal chance of finding an unrelated donor. While the NMDP welcomes
everyone who is medically eligible and willing to volunteer, there is
a critical need for more minority donors to help the many minority patients
searching the Registry.'
New England Marrow Donor Program
The Need for Minority Stem Cell Donors
MIX: Bone Marrow at College
of the Holy Cross
MAVIN
Bone Marrow Press Release
Information courtesy of NMDP
Other and All Information Can Be Found at www.marrow.org.
