Focus on the donor : aspects of stem cell donation and the donor search process

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the experience of haematopoietic stem cell donation by unrelated and related donors (minors and adults), aspects of donor care management, and the process of the unrelated donor search. The theme linking these topics is providing patients in need of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with the best stem cell product without impairing the safety of the donor. Apart from the need for (inter)national consensus for donor care management, and ethical aspects of donation ( suach as remuneration or donor risk), results of research on the donor search process are presented. Efficiency during the search process leads to more patients reaching transplantation. However, despite significant growth of the global donor inventory, merely patients with northwestern European descent do benefit from this increase. The inclusion of searching for a back up donor prevents from significant delay if a chosen donor is no longer available.