Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation & Leukemia Awareness
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation & Leukemia Awareness
Healthy bone marrow is essential to living. Sickle cell anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia are some life-threatening diseases that occur when the bone marrow fails to function properly. Marrow is the sponge-like material inside your bones. Located deep within the marrow are stem cells, which can develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This flexible tissue inside bones is key to maintaining your immune system, as it is responsible for producing all of your blood cells—the type that transports oxygen, and the type that fights off infections (white blood cells). When the bone marrow fails, it can be a life-saving requirement for a bone marrow donation. Donation Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of the bones in the body, including the hip and thigh bones. Bone marrow contains immature cells called stem cells. Many people with blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, and other life threatening conditions rely on bone marrow or cord blood transplants to survive. According to BeTheMatch.org, bone marrow can’t come from just anyone when it’s time for a transplant. While doctors must be aware of your blood type for a blood transfusion, similar rules come into play for a marrow transplant.
A lot of patients will know Carrie who has worked as part of the holistic dental team for over 13 years. Carrie’s eldest Son, TJ, was given the horrendous news that he had Cancer at only 2 years old, the family went through endless tests, treatments, radio and chemotherapy and managed to fight the horrible disease.
In 2019, aged 5, TJ had a relapse and the Cancer had returned, after further tests and treatment, it was advised that TJ required a bone marrow stem cell donation.
Amazingly, TJ’s younger Brother provided a stem cell match, meaning that he would be there to donate his cells to see his big Brother through the last stage of fighting Cancer.
The operations went well and both boys were incredible! Such strong little boys sharing this amazing bond for life. #bonemarrowstemcelldonation #leukaemiaawareness #cancerawareness #stemcelldonation #holisticdencare #holisticdentalcentre #welovefarnham
