The donation process

You attend Workup & you're cleared to donate

The Workup stage involves an appointment where potential donors undergo a comprehensive assessment to ensure they are fit for donation.

This appointment typically includes a physical examination and an information session led by a medical professional. It is an essential opportunity for donors to learn about the donation and transplant process, ensuring they feel fully informed and comfortable moving forward. 

During the appointment, donors will complete a health questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, which may include the following:

• Chest x-ray
• ECG
• Taking blood samples
• Assessment of veins
• Assessment of general anaesthetic risk
• If a donor is female, they will be asked to take a pregnancy test

Watch our Workup and donation preparation video to find out more.

The donation method is selected – PBSC

You will be informed about the donation method chosen by the patient’s medical team based on their specific needs.

Donation method 1: PBSC

The most common method is a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation. A few days prior to the donation, the donor will receive injections of G-CSF (Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) to increase the level of stem cells in their blood. 

On the day of donation, the procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment. A needle will be placed in each arm: one arm will draw blood, which is processed through an apheresis machine to collect the stem cells, while the remaining blood is returned to the other arm.

The duration of this procedure typically ranges from four to six hours, depending on the number of stem cells needed for the patient. If the required number of stem cells is not collected in one session, the donor may be asked to return for a second day of donation.

The donation method is selected – bone marrow

You will be informed about the donation method chosen by the patient’s medical team based on their specific needs.

Donation method 2: Bone marrow donation

Bone marrow is typically collected from the hips while the donor is under general anaesthesia. This method is often requested for paediatric patients. Depending on the collection centre, being under general anaesthesia may require an overnight stay before or after the procedure; however, some centres may allow donors to return home the same day.

Preparation for bone marrow donation does not require any special injections beforehand. During the procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the back of the pelvis, and a syringe is used to draw out the liquid bone marrow. The body naturally replenishes the donated bone marrow within approximately four weeks.

You prepare for donation

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) donation preparation

For PBSC donation, donors will need to inject G-CSF (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor) for four days prior to their donation. G-CSF is a synthetic version of a protein that occurs naturally in the body and plays a crucial role in stimulating the production of stem cells. This medication helps encourage bone marrow cells to move into the bloodstream, increasing the number of available stem cells for donation.

The G-CSF injections are administered under the skin, similar to how insulin is injected for diabetes. A medical professional, such as a nurse or GP, will usually oversee the first injection and provide training for self-administration for the subsequent doses. The donation will take place on the fifth day after the injections begin.

Bone marrow donation preparation

No special preparations or injections are required for bone marrow donation. The collection centre will inform donors about any necessary steps to take before the donation day.

Donation day – PBSC

Here is an example of a donation day. Please note that a donation day may not happen at these times or in this order.

Donation day – bone marrow

Here is an example of a donation day. Please note that a donation day may not happen at these times or in this order.

You recover and we'll check in

No two people feel the same after donating. Some may feel tired, while others ache. Some feel completely fine. After donation, the main thing is to rest and take it easy for a couple of days.

Both donation methods have slightly different symptoms because of how they are carried out. For PBSC, a donor may feel mild flu-like symptoms such as a headache, muscle, and bone pain, bruising or feeling tired. For bone marrow donation, symptoms can range from back/hip pain, stiffness to fatigue and/or bruising around the back of the hips. Most symptoms disappear after a few days; however, a Donor Support Coordinator will be in touch after donation to check in.

We regularly check in with donors hours and days after they have donated. We want to keep in touch and see how a donor is feeling. A Donor Support Coordinator will follow up with a donor weekly until they resume normal activity. There are key times when we will reach out to donors:

• 24-72 hours after donation
• 1-3 weeks post-donation
• Three months usually with a GP
• Annual follow-up for ten years

Mononuclear Cells (MNC) Apheresis Donation

Sometimes a recipient may need white blood cells (lymphocytes) from their donor. This is called a Donor lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) which is collected via an MNC Apheresis procedure. This type of donation can be requested within months of the transplant or several years later and is primarily requested to boost the patient’s recovery after their transplant.

Preparation for this is more straightforward and doesn’t require any injections. White blood cells are removed from your blood via apheresis and can take approximately four to five hours. The donation usually takes place at the same collection centre as your previous donation.