Australia is confronting a serious shortage of registered stem cell donors, with approximately 1,000 people urgently awaiting a suitable match for critical treatments, according to the Leukaemia Foundation. The foundation emphasizes that younger Australians can play a vital role in addressing this issue.
Bill Stavreski, head of research at the Leukaemia Foundation, stated that for many individuals suffering from conditions like blood cancer, stem cells are often the only viable treatment option. “They have a critical and urgent disease, whether it is leukaemia or lymphoma, and for many, this is the only treatment possible,” he told SBS Macedonian. He noted that patients spending extended periods on waitlists face “detrimental” health consequences.
Stavreski pointed out that the current number of registered donors in Australia, around 65,000, is insufficient. He highlighted that many patients are relying on overseas donors for their stem cell transplants. “The majority of unrelated donors for Australians who are having a stem cell transplant or waiting for a stem cell transplant are relying on overseas donors,” he explained.
A significant gap in local stem cell donation programs exists. While other countries have established initiatives in schools, hospitals, and workplaces, Australia lags in this regard. “Each year, more than 2,000 stem cell transplants are undertaken, and unfortunately, we’re relying too much on overseas donors,” Stavreski added.
To increase donor numbers, he emphasized the importance of young Australians, particularly those aged between 18 to 35. “Young Australians are really the key part here in terms of stem cells; the healthiest and most populous stem cells are when you are between 18 to 35,” he said.
Despite some skepticism about the donation process, Stavreski assured that it has become much less invasive than in the past. “In the past, the stem cells were taken from the hip bone. That’s no longer the case; there isn’t the pain that comes along with it,” he stated.
Current donation methods are straightforward and efficient. “It is like donating blood from one arm. The blood will come out, a machine will separate the cells, and the remaining blood will go through to the other arm. It only takes 30 to 60 minutes for the entire process,” he explained, noting that no additional needles or anesthetic are required.
Ancestry plays a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of stem cell treatments. Most current donors are of Western European descent, which may result in patients from diverse backgrounds and First Nations communities facing challenges in finding compatible donors. “What is important, and to really reflect what the population is in Australia, is that we need donors from all ancestries,” Stavreski stated. “It’s important that the stem cells are a match. If it’s not a perfect match, then the transplant just cannot happen.”
As the need for stem cell donors continues to grow, the Leukaemia Foundation’s campaign serves as a call to action for young Australians to consider becoming donors. This initiative could significantly impact the lives of those in urgent need of stem cell transplants, providing hope and potentially saving lives. For more updates on this issue, individuals can follow the latest from SBS News.
