What is peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation?
Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation is a way to collect blood-forming cells for transplantation. The same blood-forming cells (sometimes called blood stem cells) that can be donated from the bone marrow are also found in the circulating (peripheral) blood. As an unrelated donor on the registry of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program (also called the Be The Match Registry®), donating PBSC involves two steps: receiving injections of filgrastim and making the donation. Receiving filgrastim injections: To increase and move more blood-forming cells from your bone marrow to your bloodstream, you will receive filgrastim, a medication given by injection each day for five days before the donation. The first injection will be given at a donor center or medical clinic. You may receive injections on days two, three and four at your place of work, your home, at a donor center or at a medical clinic. On the fifth day, you will receive your final dose of filgrastim, and then donate
