tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110153203470551170.post4123124570579830336..comments2023-11-05T01:13:16.257-08:00Comments on Cancer Banter: What's Your Excuse?Susan Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12178330935523896363noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110153203470551170.post-8895324806594041562008-05-14T16:30:00.000-07:002008-05-14T16:30:00.000-07:00Hi Barbara, This information is from the National ...Hi Barbara, This information is from the National Marrow Donor Program website:<BR/><BR/>Donating PBSC (peripheral blood stem cells) involves two steps: receiving injections of filgrastim and making the donation.<BR/><BR/>Receiving filgrastim injections: To move more blood-forming cells from your bone marrow to your bloodstream, you will receive filgrastim, a drug given by injection each day for five days before the donation.<BR/><BR/>The first injection will be given at a donor center or medical clinic. You may receive injections on days two, three and four at your place of work, your home, at a donor center or at a medical clinic. On the fifth day, you will receive your final dose of filgrastim, and then donate your blood cells at the donor center or hospital outpatient unit.<BR/><BR/>Donating the cells: PBSC donation is done through a process called apheresis, which is similar to donating plasma. During apheresis, a needle will be placed into each of your arms. Blood will be removed from a vein in one arm and passed through tubing into a blood cell separator machine.<BR/><BR/>The machine collects blood-forming cells, platelets and some white blood cells. Plasma and red blood cells are returned to your body through the other arm. All the tubing used in the machine is sterile and is used only once for your donation. If only one donation is done, it may take up to six hours. If two donations are done on separate days, each collection will take three to four hours.Susan Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12178330935523896363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9110153203470551170.post-17490577920227973082008-05-14T16:15:00.000-07:002008-05-14T16:15:00.000-07:00Please tell us more about the proceedure to harves...Please tell us more about the proceedure to harvest the stem cells. I read about it after I was motivated by your different posts and it sounds very difficult, but think it is a great thing to do if I thought I was up to it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355326977935582850noreply@blogger.com