(Please read and understand all the information below when making your decision)

SHARE A LITTLE - SAVE A LIFE:
BECOME A BONE MARROW STEM CELL DONOR

ALL IT TAKES IS ‘TWO TEASPOONS' OF YOUR BLOOD AND YOU COULD REGISTER TODAY
AND SAVE A LIFE TOMORROW! - Contact: 0800 12 10 82

Who can donate?
Donors must be between 18 and 50 years of age at the time of registration. They should be in general good health, with no history of hepatitis or sexually transmitted diseases. They should weigh over 50 kgs and preferably, but not necessarily be a blood donor.

How do you join & is it painful?
It is an easy and painless procedure to register. All that is required is ten minutes of your time to complete the registration form and about two teaspoons of your blood.

How Would I Help? - Contact 0800 12 10 82
Every year thousands of South Africans of all ages and races are diagnosed with diseases such as Leukaemia, Aplastic anaemia or some rare genetic disorders . 75% of these patients are under
the age of 25. Their only hope of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a donor who shares the same tissue type. Without this transplant it would mean certain death. It all depends on ordinary people like you, ordinary people who wish to give the amazing GIFT OF LIFE.

You could be that MATCH for someone with leukemia or another life threatening blood disorder. The chances of finding a match are 1:100 000 and it could be you! You may well be the only one in the world who can provide that match and save someone´s life!

What happens if I'm a perfect match?

The medical procedure for obtaining stem cells from the blood is called a harvest. If you were asked to donate, you would be required to attend a specialist harvest centre in South Africa .

The harvest will take place at a private ward and the donor is often admitted for the night preceding the harvest as this has proved to be most comfortable and convenient, particularly if the donor is from
out of town. (At this stage all expenses would be paid by the patient - no cost to the donor).

A full medical examination will be carried out and if you are still agreeable, growth factor injections will be administered. These will increase the production of the stem cells in the bone marrow. These excess stem cells enter the bloodstream from where they are harvested using a cell separator machine. This minor procedure, with minimal discomfort , entails you being connected to the machine by an intravenous line (similar to donating blood or platelets) for 4 – 6 hours. The precious bone marrow stem cells are filtered out of your blood and your own blood then returned to you. Thus you are able to go home immediately afterwards.

Are there any side e ffects for the donor?
Sibling transplants have been taking place for over 10 years and the only reported side effect appears to be flu-like symptoms for a day or two after the donation.

Why are unrelated donors needed?
Although family members – brothers and sisters in particular – may offer the closest matches, unfortunately 75% of patients will not have a suitable sibling, so have to search elsewhere.

How are donors and patients matched?
In the same way as red cell blood groups exist, so white cells can be categorised into groups know as “tissue types”. Thousands of tissue types exist, so finding the correct match depends upon having a very large register of donors. Because people's genetic makeup is so varied and their tissue types are inherited characteristics, the chance of finding a suitable match can be slim. The likelihood of finding a matching donor will be considerably greater in donors from the same ethnic background as the patient.

Our Rainbow Nation
In our rainbow nation we have even more unique combinations of tissue types. Therefore it is very important that South Africa has its own registry and the larger that registry, the greater and faster the chance of finding a perfect match. We desperately need donors from all ethnic groups and mixed ethnic backgrounds.

Keep in contact
Your details are kept on the registry until you are 60 and it is therefore vitally important that you keep us updated with your current contact details – so we can find you when we need you. All information that you supply is kept strictly confidential.

Can I change my mind?
Yes, you may withdraw from the registry at any time. We would, however, prefer to have committed donors, as you may be the only one in the world who can provide that match. Most donors are delighted to hear that they have been chosen to donate - after all, that's why they joined the Registry. A potential donor may decline at any time. There is however, a point of no return for the patient.

When is the point of no return?
This stage is reached about a week before the actual donation when the patient's own bone marrow is destroyed with high doses of chemotherapy in preparation for receiving the harvested stem cells. At this point the donor may be seen to have a moral obligation to proceed becausewithout the donation of stem cells the patient will die.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS REGARDING MEDICATION

Hormone replacement therapy HRT - You may donate if on HRT

Contraceptive Pills - You may donate

Eltroxin - You may donate

Roaccutane - You cannot donate until you have been off it for 6 weeks

Tattoos and Body Piercing - You may register and be tissue typed but could not donate to a patient for 12 months from date of piercing.

KEEPING IT SAFE
As haematopoietic stem cells are found in blood and certain diseases are carried in the blood, it is not possible to accept donations from individuals who have tested positive for either the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Hepatitis B or C viruses. It is important that people are honest and exclude themselves from joining the Register or proceeding with a donation, if they believe they are at risk of infecting patients undergoing transplant procedures. There is no risk of HIV or Hepatitis infection to a volunteer undergoing stem cell donation.

Testing for viruses is performed at the final stages of matching with a patient, as well as at the medical examination prior to donation. You will only be HIV or Hepatitis tested if you should match with a patient at a future date, not immediately upon joining the Register. The tests performed initially are only to establish your tissue type and thereby identify the degree of matching with a patient.

You should not join the Register if you have reason to think you are at risk, or use us to obtain an HIV or Hepatitis test. You can be tested confidentially for these viruses at clinics for sexually transmitted diseases.

Do not register as a blood stem cell donor or consent to further matching tests if:

• You think you might need a test for HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
• You or your partner are HIV positive or carry the Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus.
• You have injected yourself (even once) with illegal or non-prescription drugs.
• You have taken money or drugs in exchange for sex..
• You may be at risk of HIV or Hepatitis B or C after sex with:

  • Any individual you think may be HIV or Hepatitis positive.
  • Any individual who has taken money or drugs in exchange for sex.

FOR YOU THE FIRST STEP IS EASY
JUST TWO TEASPOONS OF BLOOD
AND YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE!

Please direct all donors to call 0800 12 10 82. All donor information is strictly confidential and should be co-ordinated by The Sunflower Fund.