webmd.com). So not only does this transplant help just one or two kinds of illnesses, but it also helps in many more cases making it a reality for many people to know that they are going to have another chance at life.
Types of stem cell transplants.
There are three types of stem cell transplants. One is called the allogeneic transplants. The other is the autologous transplant. The last one is called the peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, which according to www.medicinenet.com, is a new technique in which stem cells are obtained from the patient's blood and used in bone marrow transplantation. The difference between the other two is that an allogeneic transplant is when the receiver of the bone marrow gets the bone marrow from a twin. Autologous receivers get their bone marrow from a family relative or other donor that is not a twin. According to www.webmd.com, allogeneic transplants are used to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia, which is a blood condition that interferes with the normal production of hemoglobin. "Autologous transplants have been used to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non- Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and solid tumors, such as breast cancer or testicular cancer" (www.webmd.com).
Procedures for donating stem cells.
One way to donate stem cells is to do it through the National Marrow Donor Program. There are many other programs to donate through also. With the NMDP, "the first step is to join them and register" (www.hlaregistry.org). They have you sign a consent form to have your tissue type in the registry. They ask you to "provide a small blood sample to determine your tissue type" (www.hlaregistry.org). The second step is to be matched with a recipient. Once you have been matched the NMDP will contact you to ask if they may get another sample of your blood. The third step is to get the donor prepared for the donation.
