Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation

1.What does Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) mean?

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) are the blood cells that give rise to all the other blood cells. They give rise to Myeloid, Erythrocytes, Platelets, Lymphoid lineages, etc.

2. Who would need Hematopoietic stem cells transplant?

The diseases that can be cured by the transplant of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, such as:

• Blood disease: Aplastic Anemia, Thalassemia
• Malignant disease: Acute Leukemia, Chronic Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Disorders,
• Lymphoma, and other solid tumor cancer
• Inherited Metabolic Disorder:Adrenoleukodystrophy(ALD), Hunter's Syndrome, Hurler's Syndrome, Osteoporosis
• Immunodeficiency: Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disease
• Immune System Disorder: Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), rheumatoid arthritis(RA), Multiple Sclerosis

There are nearly 70 kinds of diseases can be treated by stem cells transplantation.

3. Why set up a donor registry?

Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center(BTCSCC) was founded in Oct. 1993, by Tzu Chi Foundation. We recruit voluntary donors to set up the registry which open up a chance of reborn for the patient.

When no matched related donor can be found for the patient, the patient’s transplant center will request BTCSCC for HLA matching. Those patients could come from different areas, countries or races around the world. If luckily a match was found in the Registry, it will then rely on the contact of the donor to find out his or her inclination before deciding the transplant can be started.

If you have the chance to match a patient, and donate your HSC (BM or PBSC) to save his or her life The new life comes from you, and your compassion of Great Love may have also saved a family from broken.

4. Ways to donate HSCs?

There are two ways to save a life: BM(bone marrow) or PBSC(peripheral blood stem cells). The center will tell you which one is more suitable for the patient, and we will discuss with you for your final decision. The whole process, starting from matching, physical exam, to HSC collection (including 2-3 days hosiptalization), takes at least one month.

5.How to register as a potential donor?

You have to participate in one of our Blood Drive to give 10 cc of blood for the database. Staff from the Center will explain to you the donation procedures of bone marrow, and peripheral blood stem cells. You need to answer a short Health Questionary, and sign a consent form for registering your HLA Typing in our HSC Donor Registry Database. Our Immunogenetic Lab will test your blood to find out your HLA Typing, and save it to the database. Your blood sample will be stored in the lab for a period of time, and won't be used for other purposes without your consent.

Once you joined the database, your HLA Typing will be matched to the patient who needs the transplantation from around the world. In this period, only when your HLA Typing found a match, then BTCSCC will contact you.

6.The qualification for HSCs donation?

(1) Fully understanding of the meaning of donation and its process
(2) A clear and strong willingness
(3) The support of your parents and spouse
(4) You are more than 17
(5) You are not 45 yet
(6) You physical condition qualify the standard of the Blood Drive
(7) Weight Male 45Kg Female 40Kg minimum
(8) Prepare 2 contact names, addresses and phone numbers to avoid losing contact and your chance of saving a life

Please do not come again if you have already joined the registry, preventing the waste of the high cost of testing. Call us if you are not sure.

For detailed info, you may contact [email protected]