DKMS - I become a donor
The decision to become a potential bone marrow donor was one of the most obvious for me, and becoming a donor and being able to save someone's life would be an honor.
However, the hardest part was to mobilize and learn:
- is it safe to become a donor and
- how can I become a donor - this path turned out to be easier than I could have imagined.
I didn't have to go anywhere, pay nothing. I have completed the application on the official website DKMS, and after a dozen or so days in my mailbox a package was waiting for me with a set of documents and sticks to collect saliva from the mouth.
Downloading material according to the attached instructions was child's play. I have also filled out the 1 application form on the A4 page and packed the sticks with the return envelope, which is included in the kit. On the way to work, I threw it in a letterbox. Now I am just waiting for confirmation that I have become a potential bone marrow donor.
I have some interesting facts for you related to being a donor (information from the official website www.dkms.pl):
1. Myth:
Stem cells are taken from the spinal cord
Fact:
The concept of bone marrow and spinal cord is very often confused. When the stem cells are removed, the donor's spinal cord is not affected. Stem cells are taken either from peripheral blood (the procedure lasts 3-4 hours) or from the iliac plate (surgery under full narcosis).
2. Myth:
Stem cells are collected during a complicated operation
Fact:
Stem cells are taken either from peripheral blood or from a hip plate. In approximately 80% of cases, stem cells are collected from peripheral blood. The procedure of collection using this method is performed outpatient and does not require a stay in the clinic.
3. Myth:
Stem cell donation causes damage to the donor's health
Fact:
Within about two weeks, the donor organism regenerates stem cells spontaneously. Giving them to a sick person gives us a chance for a new life, without suffering any damage to health.
Within 10 years of registration, a maximum of 5 for 100 registered persons become a donor. During the first year of registration, only 1% young donors have the chance to become an actual donor.
Haven't made your decision yet? Wondering what your chances of becoming a donor are? Is becoming a donor risky or painful? Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions:
6. I am registered in another donor database. Can I register in the DKMS Polska Foundation database?
A Have you ever wondered whether to become a donor?
Anonymous
Do I have to enter my details or send the form they gave me when sending the form and chopsticks on an envelope?
Anonymous
I have a question. Can I register in the Organ Donors Database also in DKMS to donate blood and bone marrow?
Sabbath
For me, the biggest difficulty was clicking "send" after completing the form. Because it's so final, there will be no turning back. But just when I thought that, God forbid, someone close would need help and the eligible person would hesitate, I clicked.
aldia arcadia
Great post. I am also gathering to become a donor. Thank you for refuting the myths 🙂
Tyyne
It's wonderful that there are people like you :) I was lucky that I needed a donor and my brother became one :) Unfortunately, now the disease has come back and I am taking medication but if they do not help, another transplant will be waiting for me, but this time they will look for a donor for me :( you will have time and feel like you can see me some time ago I even wrote a post about how I went through this disease and transplant :)
Pozdrawiam
Agnieszka
I came to you some time ago after the comments you left with me. I also left a few with you, but maybe you didn't notice. You are very brave, I read your whole story and you certainly added a huge brick to the fact that I finally sat down on the computer and learned almost everything about how DKMS works. I wish you a lot of health and strength. And I support with all my strength. And I hug to my heart.
Anna from odinspiracjidorealizacji@interia.eu
Bravo! I have been in the base for almost 2 years and I am waiting patiently ...
I hope that thanks to posts like yours, more people will decide to join the group of potential donors 🙂
Greetings, Anna
snikersik - parenting blog
I admire people who want to selflessly help others
Weronka
I am also suppliers. I wrote about it on my blog :-) Regards
greenfrog
It's nice that there are people who willingly want to help 🙂 I would also like to donate bone marrow and donate blood, but because of problems with the thyroid gland I can't ... I really regret it 🙁