MCI Blood Drive & Stem-cell typification

People between the ages of 18 and 70 who meet certain health and legal criteria may donate blood. First-time donors must not have reached the age of 60 at the time of their first donation. The body weight must be at least 50 kg.

The most important reasons for exclusion from A to Z can be found here.

An official photo ID (e.g. driver's license, passport, ID card) must be presented at each blood donation.

A blood donation brings several advantages - first of all the good feeling with the blood donation to have helped another person. One receives thereby:

• the determination of the blood group and the rhesus factor
• the determination of the hemoglobin value
• the detection of special antibodies or surface characteristics (knowing these is vital in the event that you yourself require blood units)
• notification of suspected diseases
• a blood donor card

Between 400 to 500 cc of blood will be drawn from each donor. Blood donations are both harmless and painless. They can even be health enhancing!

Blood stem cells are responsible for the formation of blood cells - for example, white and red blood cells. They are found to a small extent in the blood, but mainly in the bone marrow of the ribs, sternum and pelvic bones. The blood stem cells multiply (like other cells) by cell division.

For patients with various malignant blood diseases ("blood cancer" or leukemia), stem cell therapy is often the treatment of choice.

• Age limit between 18-35 years
• Weight: minimum weight of 50kg
• Upper limit: Body Mass Index 40
• There must be no serious or chronic illnesses (e.g. hepatitis B, HIV infection, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, cardiovascular diseases, circulatory disorders, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cancer (also cured), coagulation disorders, chronic stomach or intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, restrictions in liver or kidney function, restrictions in lung function such as bronchial asthma).

There are two methods for obtaining stem cells: peripheral donation of stem cells and bone marrow donation. In most cases, the stem cells needed for treatment can be obtained from the blood by peripheral donation. You can find more information here.