FAQ

You can register online now

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You can also register at the nearest blood bank/ mobile blood donation campaign
You can download the form (English/ Sinhala / Tamil)

Or collect the pledge form from your nearest blood bank/ mobile blood donation campaign and hand it over.

Stem cell collection can be done in two ways:

• Stem cells are harvested in a method similar to apheresis platelet donation by connecting to a cell separator machine
• In order to Release stem cells to blood from bone marrow you will receive a short course of injections.
• Stem cells can also be harvested from the red bone marrow of the hip bone under anaesthesia only if you are willing to do so. This is a very rare requirement depending on patient's disease condition

These drugs can sometimes cause side effects in the donor. The common side effects include,

• Fever
• Malaise (weakness) / fatigue,
• Headache/ bone pain/ joint pain,
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort or pain
• Allergic reactions

These effects are temporary and the painful symptoms are usually easily controlled with the intake of paracetamol.

Yes, you may have a chance if your HLA typing results match. Your relatives attending clinician can make a request to the registry following which a donor search will take place. Depending on the HLA match and eligibility, the most suitable donor will be selected.

Participation in the SLSCDR is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time after notifying us.

There is however a "point of no return" for the patient. This would be about a week before the actual donation, as the patient''s own bone marrow is destroyed in preparation for receiving the donated stem cells. At this point, the patient will die unless healthy bone marrow is transplanted. It is therefore very important that you let us know well before this "point of no return" if you have any concerns regarding donation.

It is a legal and ethical requirement that the identity and the location of both patient and donor are kept confidential.

Two years after donation, if both parties agree, we will allow personal details to be shared. However, you should note that this is a rare occurrence and that it may be subject to legal and policy decisions outside of our control.