Blood and Stem Cell Donation at PAU Hospital

Prof. Dr. Nil Güler, Head of the Department of Hematology and Head of the Transfusion Center, made the following statement: Blood is a tissue that cannot be replaced by any medication or treatment. In November 2022, red blood cells produced from stem cells in the laboratory were successfully transplanted into humans for the first time with the RESTORE study, the study is still ongoing; however, until the widespread use of blood produced under laboratory conditions, blood will continue to be a tissue supplied from humans. Voluntary donors are the only source of blood supply for patients in need. Women between the ages of 18 and 65, weighing at least 50 kg, can donate blood every 4 months, while men can donate blood every 3 months. Stem cell donations can also be made with three small tubes that can be given extra during blood donation. After the blood group and infectious diseases are checked with the three tubes, HLA (Tissue compatibility test antigens) are checked. If there is a match with the HLAs of acute leukemia, lymphoma, bone marrow failure patients who are currently waiting for stem cell transplantation, the stem cell donor is called and told that his/her tissue and a patient's tissue match. If the donor candidate accepts the tissue tests, donation procedures are initiated. Stem cell collection is usually done by apheresis from the patient's vein. In this process, which takes one to two hours, the patient's blood enters the collection device from the vein and after some of the stem cells are removed, they are immediately returned to the patient by the device. In this way, with a continuous circulation process, the patient completes the donation process without anesthesia. It is a procedure that does not require hospitalization. Since only a small portion of the patient's stem cells are removed, it does not cause a deficiency in the patient.

It is an exhausting process for the patient's relatives to both take care of their hospitalized patients and try to find a blood donor. It is most desirable to have blood ready when the patient needs it. To this end, the aim is to have enough blood in the blood stocks in advance. That is why the role of voluntary blood donors is so important. After blood and stem cell donation, our body easily replaces blood and stem cells.

Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Onur Birsen said that if you want to give a very important support to a patient and a new life, we would like to invite you to the Red Crescent's blood and stem cell donation campaign.