Donors needed

[skyking]

This is a lot more personal than most "ATOT" effect requests. I do not feel it is appropriate to put that into the title.
I got word from my sister today. Of the millions of donors in the registries, 13 were a potential match for her husband. None were close enough, unfortunately.

The doctors want people from 18 to 44, so many of us older folk can't register. If you are game, go to "Bethematch"
https://bethematch.org/
It will probably not help Len but it may help somebody else.

 

[skyking]

He's in a research program at UW cancer center. They give the donor some medicine to increase stem cell production, and peripheral stem cells are harvested from the blood. No bone marrow transplant.

 

[Ne0]

I did a stem cell transplant for my brother a few months ago. It wasn't difficult at all just some slight bone pain and headaches from the twice a day neupogen injections (for 5 days). During the stem cell transplant they stick a needle in each arm (one to take out blood and the other to put the blood minus stem cells back in you). It took a good 4-5 hours and I had to sit still but I managed. I signed up for the bethematch registry and hopefully you'll find a match.

 

[skyking]

Thanks for posting NeO. Thanks for registering too. I'm older and not a direct relative so I can't help him myself.
Apparently the older you get, the less accurate the generation of stem cells. It affects the outcome.

 

[TheVrolok]

Have been in the registry for years. :thumbsup:

 

[skyking]

Have been in the registry for years. :thumbsup:

Cool man.
Now his kids are getting tested for the half match. If that does not work there are two units of cord blood as a last option.
This is really a curable cancer. He feels pretty good, they have just done another consolidation round of chemo and it did not kick his ass so bad this time.

 

[Kyle]

Sorry to hear...though it may not help Len but I just signed up- something I'd been meaning to do for a while and kept putting it off.

 

[Perknose]

Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, Kelly. Here's hoping he gets what he needs. :thumbsup:

 

[Captante]

I'd offer to help but apparently am too old @ 51.

(been a registered donor for many years)