With a noble motive or selfless act, bone marrow donation is a practice that can save the lives of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and other disorders of blood. However, there are some myths and misconceptions regarding bone marrow donation that may dissuade people from adopting this life-saving act. One of the fables is “Females Cannot Donate Bone Marrow”. This is simply not true.
The Truth About Female Bone Marrow Donation
Both men and women can donate bone marrow for the bone marrow transplant surgery. In many instances, women may even be the preferred donors. Because women typically have higher red blood cell counts and are larger, they can offer higher yields of stem cells during donation. So in many cases, women are likely to be compatible with female recipients while males are more often the match for male recipients.
Eligibility for Bone Marrow Donation
While both males and females can donate bone marrow, certain eligibility criteria must be met. In general, donors should be between the ages of 18 and 50 and in good health. Some medical conditions or lifestyle choices would disqualify someone from donating.
Bone marrow donation is a relatively simple process and, therefore, safe. It starts with a simple blood test to determine your tissue type. If you are found to be a match for someone in need, a short procedure follows to collect bone marrow from your hip bones. The collection is primarily done under general anesthesia; a little discomfort can be expected for a couple of days afterward.
Why Are Males Sometimes Preferred as Donors?
In specific cases, males may be preferred as donors because of their greater stature and higher red blood cell count. With higher stem cell yields, transplant success may be increased. There is no question that females can equally contribute. Females are often the best choice for female patients; thus, every contribution of female donors is invaluable in the fight to save lives.
Disproving Myths About Bone Marrow Donation
Bone marrow donation has surrounded many myths and misconceptions. Let us debunk a few common misleading statements:
- Myth: Bone marrow donation is said to be painful, but the truth is that it is seldom very painful. Most of the time, discomfort, if any, fades after a few days of donation.
- Myth: Some imagine that bone marrow donation poses great risks, yet the procedure is very low-risk and generally complication-free for most donors.
- Myth: Some say that donation of bone marrow takes a long time and is very complicated, while in actual reality it is quite simple in fact, it should take just a few weeks to complete from start-to-finish registration to donation.
Important Information
Based on what is currently known, Mrs. Masilamani is among the first known female unrelated bone marrow donors worldwide; she gave her bone marrow to save a newborn afflicted with a severe blood disease.
Conclusion
Donating bone marrow is a potent way for women to improve the lives of others. We can encourage more women to think about donating bone marrow by dispelling myths and misconceptions about this potentially life-saving act.
If you want to become a bone marrow donor, you can sign up with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) or with other marrow registries. More information about bone marrow donation can also be found on the NMDP website.
Should you or your loved one need a bone marrow transplant, EdhaCare can be your first step toward a healthier life. Armed with the best medical assistance, recovery is possible, and a new life awaits!