September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, an observance created to help promote awareness and education about one of the world’s most prevalent and dangerous cancers. Blood cancer occurs when stem cells in bone marrow produce an uncontrolled growth of abnormal blood cells, which prevent blood from fighting infections. Two common blood cancer treatments are blood transfusions and blood and marrow transplants. That’s why some of the best ways you can help blood cancer patients are to donate blood and register as a blood and bone marrow donor.
How blood donations help cancer patients
According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and cancer patients are among those in need of donations. Patients with many types of cancer may need blood transfusions due to the disease itself or due to the treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation, which may suppress production of bone marrow cells that produce blood cells. During a blood transfusion, blood cells (such as red cells, platelets or plasma) are donated and then given to a recipient. The blood cells help cancer patients by helping to prevent and control blood clotting and prevent anemia.
Who can donate blood?
To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with a signed parental consent form) and weigh at least 110 pounds. In addition, donors must wait at least eight weeks between donations and answer a few health questions to ensure they are healthy enough for donation.
You cannot donate blood if you are currently being treated for cancer, if your previous cancer has spread or returned or if you have ever had leukemia, lymphoma or Kaposi’s sarcoma. If you have had cancer in the past but have been cured or have been in remission for at least one year, most donation centers will allow you to donate if it has been at least one year since you have had no signs of cancer.
What to expect when you donate blood
When you are ready to donate your blood, you will sit in a reclining chair or lie on a table. An area of your arm will be cleaned with an alcohol wipe, and a sterile needle will be put into a vein, usually on the inside of your arm where your elbow bends.
Getting a full unit of blood drawn usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once your blood is taken, you will be asked to stay for a few minutes to make sure you are feeling well and will be given something to drink and a light snack.
Some centers recommend that you have someone else drive you home after you donate, as you may feel tired for a few hours. After you leave, you are free to return to normal activities.
For more information on blood donation, visit the American Red Cross.
What is a blood and marrow transplant?
A blood and marrow transplant, also called a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, takes unhealthy, blood-forming marrow cells and replaces them with healthy ones. A blood and marrow transplant may be performed using stem cells from the patient's body or a donor.
How blood and marrow transplants help blood cancer patients
Several types of blood cancers are commonly treated with a blood or marrow transplant, including lymphoma, myeloma and leukemias. Blood and marrow transplants are performed for individuals with diseased bone marrow or for patients with cancer who are about to undergo high doses of cancer therapy, damaging their bone marrow.
How to become a blood or bone marrow donor
If you would like to potentially become a bone marrow donor, you can sign up with an organization, such as Be The Match®, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP). By joining the registry, you could potentially be matched with someone in need of blood or bone marrow. After signing up, you are sent a swab test. Follow the instructions and sent the test back. It could be months or years until you are matched with a patient. But when you are a match for someone, you could donate your blood or bone marrow and possibly save their life.
Donors are needed because 75+ diseases can be cured or treated from blood stem cells, and 70% of patients don’t have a fully matched donor in their family.
How to become a blood or bone marrow recipient
Methodist Healthcare is proud to offer the only adult blood cancer treatment program in San Antonio. The Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at Methodist Hospital offers blood and marrow transplants, also known as bone marrow or stem cell transplant, cell therapy and immunotherapy.
Methodist Children’s Hospital’s Sarah Cannon Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program offers the only Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program of its kind in South Texas. Additionally, it is one of the busiest locations for pediatric blood and marrow transplants in the U.S.
A blood and marrow transplant requires a thorough consultation with your physician and a referral. Once referred, the transplant team schedules the patient's first visit to the clinic. During the appointment, the patient and his or her family meet the transplant physician and spend a significant amount of time with other transplant professionals who further educate the patient about transplantation.
If the patient, family and transplant team decide a transplant is the best option, the patient undergoes testing to complete the evaluation process. The type of transplant most appropriate determines how quickly the procedure can be performed.
To schedule an appointment with the Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at Methodist Hospital, call (210) 575-7800. For the Sarah Cannon Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at Methodist Children’s Hospital, call (210) 575-2222.
A life saved by blood and bone marrow donation
Crespin Williams was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2019. After undergoing multiple chemotherapy treatments over several weeks at Methodist Children’s Hospital, Crespin’s oncology team referred him to the bone marrow transplant team for a stem cell transplant. The new treatment involved radiation and chemotherapy, which combined, would give a stronger treatment to kill the cancer cells than he had before. The transplanted cells would then work normally to produce healthy, cancer-free blood cells.
Crespin underwent all of the recommended treatments and received stem cells (from either a blood or a bone marrow donation) from an anonymous donor. The transplant was a success, and since September 13, 2020, Crespin has remained cancer-free!
Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring all the kids you meet with your positive attitude and relentless spirit, Crespin!
Read more about Crespin’s pediatric cancer journey.
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