"I joined the Anthony Nolan Trust Register in September 2005 during a donor recruitment clinic held at Salford University where I attended as a part-time student studying Construction Management. I completed a medical form and provided a small sample of blood, which was then tissue-typed and stored on the Anthony Nolan Register, the database of potential donors which is searched every time any patient in the world needs a bone marrow transplant. Then, if I'm honest I forgot about the whole thing.
During February of this year, I received a letter from the Trust asking me to give some more blood samples. I was told that I was a suitable match for someone but further tests were required to make absolutely certain. Once it was established that I was the most suitable match, the trust then made arrangements for me to travel to London for a full medical to check that I was fit and healthy.
There are now two ways for the bone marrow to be collected. A new system allows the stem cells to be collected from the peripheral blood and the donor is treated as an outpatient. The more traditional "harvest" takes place under general anaesthetic and lasts about an hour. Needles are inserted into the hipbone at the base of the spine and the bone marrow is extracted.
I was given the option of either of these methods, I was prepared to donate by either way so I asked which would be best for the patient and was told that the stem cell collection was preferred. For the five days leading up to the donation, I received injections which encouraged my system to overproduce the required stem cells. I felt a bit tired and achy as my body was making extra stem cells but that was all.
Then, I had to travel down to London the day before the extraction where I was put up in a hotel near to the hospital. The extraction itself was a lot less of an ordeal than I had expected. I was connected to a dialysis machine for just under three hours which simply extracted my blood from the one arm, processed it and removed the cells and plasma that they needed and then returned it into the other arm. The trust had also paid for my girlfriend to travel down with me and she was allowed to be there during the extraction which was great. The staff at the hospital where excellent and talked me through the whole process.
For ethical reasons, I was given very little information about the patient who received my bone marrow, but I have asked for regular updates through the Anthony Nolan Trust. All I have been told is that my recipient is a female from within the UK. Within 48 hours of my donation she would have received my bone marrow and then be in isolation for some time. The charity will ask for updates on her progress but I am happy to just know that I have been able to help.
Donating bone marrow is not a difficult or painful experience and any discomfort that I felt was far outweighed by the knowledge that I was helping to save a life. The sense of achievement and overall reward is fantastic."
Written by Marcus Picken
your comments
Charlotte, Manchester.
As soon as I turn 17/18 (16now)I am going to give blood and hopefully bone marrow too, I was undecided about it but now after reading all these posts I am certain! thank you everyone, all very kind people!
Sun Aug 2 15:05:57 2009
Kerri Molloy from Uk
I work in my local hospital as a phlebotomist, im already an organ donor and would love to help by becoming a bone marrow donor, but i was really worried about how sore it would be! After reading every single one of your comments i have finally decided to sign up. Fingers crossed that sometime in my life i'll be able to save a life!
Sun Jul 5 20:05:25 2009
Anna Starling, Nottingham
I've been recruiting people onto the bone marrow register for the AMT for 4 and a half years now...and I'm finally a compatible match myself! Dont know when the donation will be, some time in the next 3 months...but I cant wait! I was so excited when I got the letter, and worried I wouldnt be a good enough match. Its a brilliant thing to do, and I hope once I've donated myself I'l have even more stories to tell the people I try to sign up.
Sun May 10 20:31:05 2009
E Thorne, Billericay, Essex
I signed up to the Anthony Nolan Trust yesterday and gave a sample to join the register. It's something I thought about doing for a while much to the dubious comments of my house mates (too much pain etc etc). Luckily my university just participated in a bone marrow awareness week and it was right on my doorstop. I really hope I am a match for someone at some point in the future. What is a little discomfort compared to saving a life? More people should do it. Needles are never fun but think of how someone's life can change. Well done to everyone already on the list%2! 0and especially those who have donated. Great article.
Sun May 3 19:30:47 2009
Andrew Sheehan, Llantwit Major
I gave a bone marrow donation at the end of november 2008 it was so easy to do,i received a little card from the recipient and to be honest,it says it allYOU WILL NEVER KNOWHOW VERY MUCHALL YOUR HELP HAS MEANT TO MEFOR YOU BROUGHT A BRIGHTNESS TO MY LIFEWHEN ONLY SHADOWS I COULD SEETHE KINDNESS YOU HAVE SHOWNWILL BE WITH ME EVERY DAYFOR YOU HAVE SHOWN A DEPTH OF CARINGTHAT I NEVER COULD REPAYIt was sent by an"ever thankful friend"read the above and help someone,its painless
Fri Mar 20 13:36:23 2009
Jeff from Oxfordshire
I signed up on the Anthony Nolan trust register nearly 20 years ago. I've just heard that I may be a possible match so I thought i'd check out how others have coped. To be honest I'm really excited about the prospect of helping someone so ill and very much hope i'm a match. It's what I signed up for.
Wed Mar 18 09:35:22 2009
Maria Barbara from Malta
Thank you Markus, as although you were not the donor for my daughter, who thanks God, medics and donor, is alive and kickking. I hope you will have peace and love, health and wealth all your life. You deserve it. thank you.
Thu Jan 8 09:47:16 2009
Jen Bolli UK
Marcus, thank you for this post, it is something i have considered for a while but been too concerned about the complications ( i have a young son of which i have to look after alone), now, from your information, i feel that things will be ok and you are a star! i have recently done some fundraising for kids with leukemia and i must say, having a child of my own, it really hits homw and to have the possibility to help just one of them would be amazing. god bless you!
Fri Dec 12 09:21:25 2008
Christine from Purley
My husband is currently undergoing treatment ready for his BMT on 3rd July 2008 - we are extremely grateful to his donor and wanted to understand what it must be like for her. This really is the greatest gift and we cannot begin to express what this means to our family. Thank you to everyone on the Bone Marrow Register.
Mon Jun 30 10:03:19 2008
L Godfrey, Texas
I recieved a phone call today, that I am a possible match for a 34 year old female. I am so nervous and have been reading information on what to expect and how the process works. I want to save a life, I am just worried about complications from the procedure. I know that everyone reacts differently. I just worry that I am the one that will have complications, I am already a worry ward.
Fri May 30 09:09:01 2008
Fiona Lamont from Lanarkshire
My dad told me of a man at his work who's daughter is 5 and has leukaemia and so far have been unable to find her a suitable match. after hearing this me and my sister have decided to get tested and become donors and hopefully we will be able to help someone. We both have children of our own and just hope we can make a difference to somebody. afterall its always better to give than to receive.
Wed May 7 12:35:31 2008
Mrs J Evans
I have just left my husband in hospital. He has leukaemia and we are devastated to learn that his sister is inccompatible as his donor. reading your site has filled me with hope. thankyou SO muchto everyone who is trying to help others. Please keep your fingers crossed for us.
Mon Apr 21 10:09:14 2008
Cheryl, Essex - UK
I have given blood as much as possible since I have been 16 even though I'm not a great fan of needles but I'm still quite scared about about going on the Bone Marrow Register, I want to do it to help save somebodys life but I'm worried about the implications (if there are any?) could anybody please put my fears to rest so I can apply to go on the register. Thanks
Wed Mar 19 11:53:17 2008
Toby Armstrong, Southampton
I gave my donation through bone marrow harvest 10 days ago, and experienced a little soreness in my lower back, but nothing I would describe as "pain". Being a bone marrow donor is like having a winning lottery ticket, but being unable to claim yourself - you have to give it away. I feel proud to have done it, and really hope that my recipient can make a full recovery.
Tue Feb 12 12:51:20 2008
Paul Beddow, Halifax, West Yorkshire.
I'm donating very shortly. Out of four sisters and three brothers I'm the only match for my older brother who is dying of cancer. Without this donation he would have no chance I'm a bit scared but if it saves his life it will be worth it.
Tue Jan 22 09:16:22 2008
Michael Hunt, California, USA
I am registered as a donor. I read about donor/recipient meetings and was very excited. I also read about how many countries never permit donors and recipients to meet (Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, and an unfortunate number of others)...
Mon Dec 3 08:20:52 2007
charlotte from Brighton
I have just received the letter informing me that I may be a match for someone, having registered a couple of years ago. I found the article very useful this evening when discussing the implications to my daughter, who was naturally concerned about me going into hospital. You have helped enormously in allaying her fears (& mine!!)and I am actually now quite excited about the prospect of potentially being able to help someone (anyone) in such a powerful way. Thank you.
Thu Sep 13 09:13:05 2007
Becky, Teeside
Thank you, have just heard I am a possible match. This article has put my mind at rest.You should be really proud of yourself.
Thu Jul 5 09:43:47 2007
Owens
My husband received his BMT from a 20 year old man on 19 January 2007 and is recovering. He has had some setbacks but is OK. Our family will always be in the debt of someone we possibly may never get to meet but his selflessness will always be a part of our lives and we hope one day to meet with him.
Wed Apr 25 16:20:54 2007
Dennis from Minnesota USA
Hello UK. I made my donation exactly four days ago. My donation was taken from my hip in a hospital in Minneapolis, our state's largest city. You should know I experienced absolutely no post-op pain or stiffness. None. Apparently that is common for donors, although you think you are going to be laid up for days. I had surgery on Wednesday and went to Mass on Friday morning. My donation goes to a kid I know only as "9-Year-Old Boy." Since he could live almost anywhere, I hope the young chap is one of your neighbors. I am 55 years old, male, and have been blessed with good health all my life. Hopefully I have passed some of that on to 9-Year-Old Boy, and he will be out of the hospital and back on the playground soon. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Mon Apr 16 10:34:40 2007
Ms A Allen, Neath
I am also on the bone marrow register and have just received my first phone call to say I may be a match. I feel so nervous, it was great to here such a positive report on donating. Well done.
Wed Nov 22 08:36:46 2006
Ade Newman from Dorset
Good man. I give blood as regularly as I can. I h8 needles and consider it a personal challenge to do so. As part of my blood donation I have opted for bone marrow donation and hope that one day I can be of service in the same way that you have done.
Wed Oct 25 17:07:22 2006
Mr D Roberts, Tywyn
How great it is to see that a young man in this day and age is prepared to go out of their way to the extreme for the benefit of someone else.Mr Picken is a credit to all who know him and his family should be very proud.Well done!
Wed Oct 11 13:04:52 2006
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