Antioquia Receives the First Box for Donating Blood-Forming Cells: This is How It Works
Antioquia becomes a landmark department in terms of donations and transplants for those most in need, as it is the territory that receives...
TL;DR
- Antioquia is the first department in Colombia to receive a voluntary donation box for blood-forming stem cells.
- The donation box is located at the Laboratory of Clínica Las Américas Sede 80 in Medellín.
- This initiative is part of the DarCélulas program, managed by the National Registry of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Donors.
- The program coordinates the search for compatible, anonymous, and voluntary donors for transplant patients.
- The new donation box aims to reduce barriers, increase access to transplants, and provide hope for patients with leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other severe blood diseases.
- Blood-forming stem cells are responsible for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and are vital for the immune and blood systems.
- Transplantation may be the only treatment option for patients whose blood-forming cells function defectively.
- Potential donors must be between 18 and 55 years old, weigh at least 50 kg, not have morbid obesity, and be in good health.
- Donations are for children and adults with conditions such as leukemia, severe aplastic anemia, hemoglobinopathies, and other hematopoietic system disorders.