If you or someone you know has ever had blood cancer, you’ve probably heard of stem cell transplants. But what actually are they?
In simple terms, it’s a treatment where sick or damaged blood-making cells are replaced with healthy ones. These new cells can give someone with leukaemia, lymphoma, myelodysplasia (MDS), or other blood cancers and disorders another shot at life.
At The TLR Foundation, we’re all about making stem cell donation accessible and breaking down the myths. We focus on getting more young, diverse Aussies to sign up because that’s what saves lives.
So here’s the lowdown on how stem cell transplants work, why they matter and how you can help.
Stem cell transplant basics
A stem cell transplant is a way to restart someone’s blood and immune system. Doctors remove unhealthy blood-forming cells and replace them with healthy ones from a donor.
Once they enter the body, these new cells get to work. They start creating red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. As a result, they rebuild what the body can’t make on its own.
Doctors use donor stem cell transplants to treat serious blood cancers and disorders. This includes leukaemia, myelodysplasia (MDS), lymphoma, and inherited conditions like thalassaemia or severe aplastic anaemia. In many of these cases, finding a matching donor is the only way someone can survive.
How does it work?
To put it simply, stem cells are your body’s all-rounders. They’re like blank templates that can turn into whatever type of blood cell your body needs.
Doctors can collect these cells in three ways:
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Peripheral blood: This is the most common method and feels similar to a long plasma donation
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Bone marrow: Stem cells are taken from your hip while you’re under anaesthetic
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Cord blood: These cells are collected from the umbilical cord after a baby is born and stored for future use
Two types of transplants
There are two main types of stem cell transplants.
Autologous transplants use the patient’s own stem cells. Doctors collect the cells before treatment and return them later. These are not used when a donor is needed.
Allogeneic transplants use stem cells from another person. To work, the donor must be a close genetic match. This is the type of transplant that can’t happen unless someone like you signs up.
What’s the process?
Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Preparation
Before the transplant, the patient receives chemotherapy or radiation. This treatment clears out the damaged cells and makes space for the new ones.
2. Stem cell collection
Donors give their stem cells through peripheral blood collection or bone marrow donation. Most people donate through their blood. As a result, the process is straightforward and low risk.
3. The transplant
Doctors give the stem cells to the patient through a drip, like a blood transfusion. Once inside the body, the cells head to the bone marrow and begin making new, healthy blood cells.
4. Recovery
After the transplant, doctors monitor the patient closely. They check that the new cells are working and watch for any side effects. This part takes time, support and regular checkups.
Why stem cell transplants matter
For some people with blood cancer, a stem cell transplant is their only hope. But it only works if they can find a matching donor.
Finding a match depends on genetics. Most people need a donor with a similar ethnic background. Because of this, patients from culturally diverse communities can struggle to find someone compatible.
That’s why we need more young people from all backgrounds to join the registry. If you’re South Asian, Middle Eastern, African, Pacific Islander, Indigenous or mixed heritage, your decision to sign up could give someone else their only chance to live.
How can you help? Join the stem cell donor registry
You could be the match someone’s waiting for. Someone who has run out of other options.
If you’re aged 18 to 35, signing up is easy. All you need to do is order a cheek swab kit online, swab the inside of your mouth and post it back. From there, your details are added to the donor registry.
If you’re ever matched, you’ll most likely donate through your blood. The process is safe. In fact, most people recover quickly. You’ll be supported every step of the way.
At The TLR Foundation, we focus on recruiting young and diverse donors. Because of this, the more people who join, the better chance every patient has of finding a match.
Be a legend, sign up today
A stem cell transplant isn’t just a medical treatment. In many cases, it’s someone’s only chance to live. And that chance might only exist because you decided to step up.
Becoming a donor is powerful. It could be the reason someone else gets more time, more life and more hope.
If you’re ready to help or want to learn more, head over to Stem Cell Donors Australia.
Sign up online. It takes less than 5 mins and a cheek swab kit will be mailed to your home. How’s that for convenience?
References
The TLR Foundation – Become a stem cell donor