By Anthonia Amaechina
Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark World Marrow Donor Day, observed annually on the third Saturday of September to celebrate and appreciate blood stem cell donors worldwide.
The day, established by the World Marrow Donor Association, honours donors who selflessly give patients battling life-threatening blood diseases a second chance at life.
Bone marrow produces blood stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
For patients with conditions such as leukaemia, lymphoma, aplastic anaemia and severe sickle cell disease, transplantation may offer a potentially curative treatment.
Contrary to common misconceptions, bone marrow donation does not involve removing bones. In most cases, healthy blood stem cells are collected through the bloodstream, in a process similar to blood donation.
The significance of the day is particularly important in Nigeria, which has one of the highest burdens of sickle cell disease globally, with many children and families facing recurrent health crises and hospital visits.
Another major challenge is the difficulty many patients face in finding genetically compatible donors. Tissue matching is influenced by genetic background, making access to suitable donors particularly important for patients of African ancestry.
There are two major methods of stem cell donation. In most cases, stem cells are collected from the bloodstream after the donor receives medication for several days, while in a smaller number of cases, marrow is collected from the hip bone under anaesthesia.
The process is medically supervised, and the body naturally replaces the donated cells. Donors may never know the recipient, but their decision can potentially give a patient, whether a child or adult, another chance at life.
As the world marks the 2026 edition with the theme, “Thank You Donor,” Nigerians are encouraged to learn more about stem cell donation and consider registering with recognized donor registries or participating hospitals.
Healthy Nigerians who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to seek accurate information from accredited health facilities and donor registries. A simple decision to register could one day help save the life of someone in need.
Anthonia is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State.
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