A Mayobridge man has taken a potentially lifesaving step, travelling to London to donate his stem cells to a total stranger, giving them a second chance at life.
Séamas Mac Eochaidh is 31 and works as an education policy officer. He joined the stem cell register with DKMS six years ago, when he did a cheek swab at a stem cell donor registration drive at his local gym.
As so much time had passed, it was a surprise when he was eventually contacted by blood cancer charity, DKMS in November last year. He initially thought it may have been a scam call – but they were reaching out to tell him that he had been identified as a stem cell donor match for a critically ill patient who was in desperate need on a stem cell transplant. As their donor match, he could give this person a second chance at life.
About that first call, he said: “It was a bit of a shock, to be honest, it had been so long since I signed up that it took a moment for me to fully understand what was being asked of me. After the initial surprise, everything was very easy, a hospital appointment was arranged for the next day, and all I had to do was show up.”
He spoke with his friends and family, who had all closely followed the Do It for Daniel campaign that had worked to find a stem cell match for Newry teenager Daniel Greer, who sadly died of acute myeloid leukaemia last year.
Realising that he had the opportunity to support another patient, and another family like Daniel’s, Séamas agreed to go ahead.
Séamas Mac Eochaidh from Mayobridge
The donation procedure had to be put off on one occasion, as the patient’s health deteriorated, but they were eventually healthy enough to receive Séamas’ stem cells, and he travelled to London to donate. He donated his stem cells through a process called PBSC, which is a simple, outpatient procedure similar to donating blood platelets. DKMS arranged for him to fly over with his mum Mary and stay in a hotel for a few days while he completed his donation.
“I was a bit nervous initially, but the whole thing was quite simple. I met some other people who were there to donate, which made things easier,” says Séamas. “I travelled over with my mum, who was there to support me after the procedure. After it happened, I was told that the patient who received my stem cells was a woman in the same age bracket as my mum. It’s strange to think that in different circumstances that woman could have been my own mum, so I’m glad to know that I could give her another chance”.
There are strict rules protecting the anonymity of the patient for two years after donation, but eventually Séamas and his recipient will be able to contact each other, if they wish to. Now, Séamas is teaming up with DKMS to encourage more people to join the stem cell donor registry.
Reflecting on his donation, he says ““The past few years, I’ve really struggled with how much death and destruction there is, all over the world. The fact that I could do something practical to help a family that was suffering, and that it was so easy, has been great. I’d really encourage other people to do a quick swab and join the register, you’ll probably never get called, but if you do, you could do so much good.”
DKMS spokesperson Bronagh Hughes said: “People like Séamas who donate their stem cells are changing the lives of patients and their families, all over the world. By registering as a donor, you could give hope to one of the thousands of people relying on the stem cell register for a second chance at life. Signing up is quick and easy, and involves some painless mouth swabs: if you are aged 17-55 and in general good health, you’re eligible to join the register with DKMS. And if you were then matched with someone needing a transplant, in nine out of ten cases donating is a simple, outpatient process similar to donating blood platelets.”
- Anyone who wants to join the register can request a swab kit online at dkms.org.uk
