Joining the Register

This page is set up to help you understand what is involved in joining the register and what comes next.

Jump Too
1) Joining The Register
2) Once You Are Called up
3)Important Information

Joining the register:

1. Click on the Anthony Nolan link (Make sure you return to the site after)>>>>>
2. Fill in your details.
3. Receive a saliva testing kit.
4. Spit into the tube.
5. Send your kit back.
6. Receive your registration card.
7. Live your life and wait to be called up.

See how simple that is, There is no pain involved what so ever. Simply spit into a tube and send it back, Something so simple but yet it could result in you saving someone’s life.

(If you donate blood you can also ask to join the register with a blood sample the next time you give blood)

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What’s next?

If you are called up and depending if you are joined the Anthony Nolan register or the NHS register your experiences maybe slightly different.

1. If you are called up, Meaning that your Bone Marrow type matches someone in need of a transplant, you will undergo several more tests, Usually blood tests and other tests to see if you are fit to donate. (For full details check out the Anthony Nolan site).
2. When it comes to donating, There are two different ways. (See below)
3. You get to go home knowing that you may have saved someone’s life.*
   
   A) Usually the most common.

PBSC donation is a nonsurgical procedure that takes place in London by Anthony Nolan and will pay for accommodation and other expenses (NHS may differ).  For 5 days leading up to donation, you will be given injections of a drug called filgrastim to increase the number of blood-forming cells in your bloodstream. Your blood is then removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to you through the other arm. Your blood-forming cells are back to their normal levels within 4 to 6 weeks.

B)

Marrow donation is a surgical outpatient procedure that takes place at a hospital. You will receive anesthesia and feel no pain during the donation. Doctors use a needle to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of your pelvic bone. The marrow replaces itself completely within 4 to 6 weeks.

(I’ve had Bone Marrow taken from my pelvic bone several times, whilst asleep and awake. It may sound painful but it really isn’t and is it really worth not saving someone’s life for a day or two of slight discomfort.)
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Important Information.

In the UK you are not allowed contact with the person you donated too for two years. After that time if you both want contact you can request it. There is no guarantee that you will ever meet the person you donated too and you do not have to have contact if you don’t want to.

Also, This is very Important.

*Donating Bone Marrow to someone does not mean that they will survive their fight against Cancer but it will give them a chance of survival that they would not have without a transplant.

The Process is the same around the world but this page has been aimed at the UK, Please check for details of how to join in the rest of the world. If you would like them added to this site send me an E-mail and I will add it to the links page.

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