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Stem cell donors balk at operation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-11-10 11:01
About 10 to 20 percent of the people who have registered with the Shanghai
Stem Cell Donation Bank balk when asked to make a donation, officials with the
center said.
They said donating stem cells isn't dangerous or harmful and those who sign
up with the bank should follow through with their offer to help people in need
if asked.
Some 100 people suffering from leukemia have found stem cell matches since
the bank was established in 1992, but less than 40 surgeries have been performed
so far.
Officials say some people cannot get a transplant because their physical
situation is too poor to afford the operation, which costs 200,000 (US$24,096)
to 300,000 yuan.
"What's more, we lose contact with some donors after they change their
addresses or phone numbers, and some refuse due to personal reasons like health
problems and plans to have a baby," said Sun Hongying of the Shanghai Red Cross,
which operates the bank. "Some are just afraid of possible damage to their own
health."
Medical experts said stem cell donation is a mature and safe technology, and
donors aren't in any danger and they don't suffer any pain. Donors fully recover
from the operation within a week.
"They shouldn't let those patients down when a donation is their last
chance," Sun added.
Officials have expressed concerns about schools and
companies organizing groups to register with the stem cell bank.
"Since many donors sign up on the spur of the moment or are simply following
others, they don't think the process through clearly," said Zhang Jin, a Red
Cross official. "Since the bank has to pay 500 yuan for a blood check for every
registered donor, we want all donors to stay in contact and promise to help if
needed."
The city's stem cell bank is the biggest in the nation with some 43,000
registered donors.
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