DKMS Stem Cell Bank – One donation, two lives saved
As part of your preliminary health check, we may have asked you to donate to the DKMS Stem Cell Bank.
If so, that means you belong to a very special group of donors who may even be able to give two people a second chance at life with a single stem cell donation – because your HLA markers are relatively common. So, as well as helping the person you are about to donate to now, you may turn out to be a “genetic twin” for one or more other blood cancer patients in the future.
Whether to donate to the Stem Cell Bank is entirely up to you, of course. So please take all the time you need for your decision – and contact us any time if you have any questions.
One donation, two lives saved. How does it work?
Peripheral stem cell collection often extracts significantly more stem cells than needed for the planned transplant. That’s because it is not always possible to determine prior to the donation exactly how many stem cells a donor will deliver. What matters most is that there are enough for the patient, no matter what. Often donors very quickly deliver more than the minimum cell count required and donate significantly more. With your consent, we can freeze (cryopreserve) these excess stem cells down to -180°C and store them in our Stem Cell Bank. That way, they could soon be used to offer a life-saving stem cell transplant to another patient.
DKMS Stem Cell Bank FAQs
If I already donated enough stem cells on my first day, who do I need to inform?
Simply check out of the hotel so that the second night of your accommodation is not charged. The collection clinic will let us know what the situation is. Thank you very much!
Why does G-CSF have to be injected? Can’t I just take tablets?
The active ingredient G-CSF is a biologically active protein. If administered as a tablet, it loses its efficacy as it has to pass through the digestive tract. Administration by syringe is more effective.
Can I get vaccinated?
Please do not have any vaccinations just before donating. First of all, check with the doctors in the collection clinic, as recommendations may vary, depending on the vaccination.
Can I still make – or go for – my appointment at the tattoo or piercing studio, as planned?
Please cancel any tattoo or piercing appointments you may have scheduled before your donation, as there may be an increased risk of infection that could prevent you from donating.
Who can make a Stem Cell Bank donation?
We only ask DKMS donors to donate to the DKMS Stem Cell Bank if they have already been identified as suitable for peripheral stem cell collection and have particularly common HLA characteristic combinations – like you. And there is no need to plan in an additional day for the cells to be collected. Further factors in selecting donors for the Stem Cell Bank include their age and weight. And there’s a very real chance that your donation to the Stem Cell Bank will actually be used.
DKMS Stem Cell Bank FAQs
How do I use my voucher to get a train ticket?
Bahn-Tix Instructions
What if I get sick or suffer severe side effects?
If you fall ill or feel unwell before your preliminary health check, please contact your DKMS partner immediately. After your health check, the medical staff at the collection clinic responsible for you will be happy to offer advice and assistance. In addition, you can contact us at any time of day or night, weekends included, using the emergency number you receive along with your preliminary health check results. Together, we have to act quickly for the safety of the patient.
Can I have breakfast before my preliminary health check?
Yes, please have breakfast before your health check and donation, and remember to drink plenty of fluids.
What if I have other reasons that prevent me from making a donation at this point in time?
If you cannot make your donation, please contact us as soon as possible. You can contact us at any time of day or night, weekends included, using the emergency number you receive along with your preliminary health check results. Together, we have to act quickly for the safety of the patient.
Why was the Stem Cell Bank set up?
With acute leukemia, the faster the stem cell transplant, the greater the chances of survival and cure. But it often takes several weeks to find a suitable donor and complete all the necessary steps. Our Stem Cell Bank means we can now help faster as we have a ready supply of stem cells from donors with particularly frequent HLA characteristics. So transplants can be carried out immediately.
DKMS Stem Cell Bank FAQs
What if I have other reasons that prevent me from making a donation at this point in time?
If you cannot make your donation, please contact us as soon as possible. You can contact us at any time of day or night, weekends included, using the emergency number you receive along with your preliminary health check results. Together, we have to act quickly for the safety of the patient.
When do I need to be at the clinic to make my donation?
That depends on the collection clinic and their schedule. Once you have had your preliminary health check, we will provide you with a personal plan in good time showing all your scheduled appointments and other important information.
Who was the DKMS Stem Cell Bank set up for?
DKMS Stem Cell Bank gGmbH is based in Dresden and is a non-profit subsidiary of DKMS gGmbH. Stem cell donations are stored there purely for the benefit of the general public and never for private purposes. For us, the overriding principle is that the protection and health of our donors is paramount.
