Stem Cell Registration

By: Darshini Muralidharan

March 12^th , Tuesday – The Malaysian Stem Cell Registry (MSCR) made a visit to NUMED to recruit potential stem cell donors as part of their objective to increase the number of registered volunteers. The registry was founded in the year 2000 and is part of a joint project with the Ministry of Health, the National Cancer Council (MAKNA) and the Institute for Medical Research.

As of today, there are 18000 registered volunteers. However, this number only forms 30% of their total target of 40000 volunteers. 

In Malaysia, stem cell transplants are usually integrated in treatments for leukaemia, thalassaemia, lymphomas, immunodeficiencies and aplastic anaemia.

Unfortunately, the chances of finding an unrelated compatible donor are very slim and rely significantly on the size of the registry. As part of their initiative to increase the size of the registry, the MSCR have been organising campaigns, typing donors, and handling search requests from hospitals within and outside the country.

NUMED-ians gathered at 5.00pm at Baylis Lecture theatre for a brief introductory talk by a team from MSCR. There was quite an impressive turnout as students from all stages filled the lecture hall. The team began by introducing themselves and proceeded to educate NUMED-ians about stem cells donation. They ended their talk in 40 minutes and handed out registration forms for the audience to fill out as potential donors. We were walked through the entire procedure from the filling up of the form to the donation of stem cells.

Upon completing the forms, NUMED-ians who volunteered then piled into the clinical skills lab. A small blood sample of 10ml was collected for tissue typing. In the future, if there is a match and the need for a donation is required, potential donors will be contacted and asked for bone marrow samples.

 There was an overwhelming response, with a total of 120 samples of blood and saliva collected, and the event only finishing just before 9pm. The only downside to this was that our fellow international colleagues were not eligible to donate.

 Miss Jamilah, a member of the MSCR team conveyed her gratitude through an email to all NUMED-ians who volunteered and stated that the MSCR was proud of NUMED-ians who volunteered and hope we would continue to support the cause in the future. Well done NUMED-ians on fulfilling your social responsibilities and contributing to the betterment of the health of the Malaysian society.

Posted in: 2013,May,News