Stimulated Peripheral Stem Cell Donation

The patient’s doctor may ask for a donation of stem cells from a source other than the bone marrow: the peripheral blood.

To collect peripheral stem cells, the donor is injected with a substance that increases the quantity of stem cells circulating in the blood. The cells are then harvested using a process called apheresis. Blood is drawn from the donor’s arm with a needle into a centrifuge which removes the stem cells. The remaining blood is injected back into the donor through the same needle.

Like bone marrow donation, this procedure takes place at the hospital centre where the collection is made. The physician in charge of collecting the stem cells will explain the particular risks of this type of donation to you.