Bone marrow donation: why is the profile of Reunion Islanders unique and invaluable in helping patients recover? - Press release

Réunion's diversity is a key asset in helping patients awaiting bone marrow transplants. Indeed, it's hard to find a territory where the population is so mixed. Cafres, Malbars, Yabs, Zoreils and many others: all this ethnic richness and cultural mix is a breeding ground for hope and healing for many patients looking for their bone marrow donor.

Bone marrow transplants are based on genetic compatibility between patient and donor. Each person has his or her own genetic profile, determined in particular by the family's genetic history spanning several generations. Finding a "bone marrow twin" outside the family is therefore possible, but very rare.

"There is a real ethnic wealth on the island, and the people of Reunion need to be aware of the key role they can play in helping to cure patients suffering from serious blood diseases such as leukemia. Their profiles are unique and highly sought-after, and they could make a considerable impact by joining the national bone marrow donor register," explains Dr Patricia Zunic, Head of the Clinical Hematology and Cellular Therapy Department and transplant physician at the CHU de La Réunion.

"And the more diversity there is among the profiles registered on the national bone marrow donor register, the greater the chances of finding a compatible donor for each patient," adds Dr Catherine Faucher, Director of Hematopoietic Stem Cell (bone marrow cell) Procurement and Transplantation at the Agence de la biomédecine.

At the end of 2023, there were almost 4,500 Reunionese donors on the national register (out of a total of 385,000 French donors). By the end of October 2024, 125 new donors had registered on Reunion Island, out of a national total of 12,830.

**We note that on the island the subject is not sufficiently well understood, leading to confusion, which partly explains the low number of new donors.**While 67% of those surveyed said they had already heard of the subject, only 20% felt well informed about this gesture[1].

Misconceptions concern several subjects:Donation procedures

• Whether they've heard of the subject or not, 41% of those surveyed spontaneously associate bone marrow donation with spinal cord donation, whereas bone marrow has nothing to do with the spinal cord,
• Among those who have heard of the subject, 1/3 think they have to go to a center to test their compatibility with a patient in order to donate,
• 73% think that donation always requires hospitalization.

The need

• 90% believe that a large number of new donors are needed,
• 63% are unaware of the priority given to specific profiles, in particular young people and people from diverse backgrounds.

Nevertheless, the people of Reunion are relatively well informed about the main principles of donation:

• Of those who have heard of bone marrow donation, 75% know that it is based on compatibility,
• 74% are aware that a registered donor may never be called upon to donate,
• 67% consider that donation is not immediate after registration.

The Agence de la biomédecine, the CHU de la Réunion and the ARS de la Réunion are therefore calling on the people of Réunion to find out even more about bone marrow donation, to combat any preconceived ideas or apprehensions they may have, and to realize the hope that lies in their unique profile!

All about bone marrowdonation What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is a substance found in all our bones, responsible for the formation of our blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Bone marrow is therefore essential to life, and its dysfunction is the cause of serious blood diseases such as leukemia.

Who needs a bone marrow transplant?

People who suffer from bone marrow dysfunction, leading to serious blood diseases such as leukemia (2,000 patients per year in France). Bone marrow transplants are sometimes the last hope of recovery for these patients. Bone marrow donation is completely anonymous: you can't decide to whom you give your cells.

How do you donate bone marrow?

In 80% of cases, bone marrow is drawn from the blood: equivalent to a platelet donation, it lasts between 3 and 4 hours, and the donor is perfectly able to keep busy by watching a TV series, listening to music or reading a book. The other way of collecting blood is directly from the pelvic bones, under anaesthetic. There is no risk of paralysis in either case, as neither the spinal cord nor the spinal column is affected, contrary to popular belief. The bone marrow cells harvested regenerate within a few days for the donor. The median time between registration and donation is 8 years, and some donors will never be called because they have never been identified as compatible with a patient.

Why is it important to recruit a diverse range of donors?

Bone marrow donation is based on genetic compatibility: the patient's "twin" must be found if the transplant is to work. This compatibility is based on each donor's family genetic heritage. The greater the diversity among the registered profiles, the greater the chances of finding a compatible donor for each patient.

Why look for young donors in the first place?

Because grafts taken from young people are richer in stem cells: ideal for faster graft take-up for patients. Also because donors are contacted on average 8 years after registering. So the younger you register, the longer you'll be available to help a patient.

What are the conditions for becoming a donor?

• Register on dondemoelleosseuse.fr
• Be in perfect health
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35
• Complete a medical questionnaire and take a biological sample (saliva sample or blood test upon final registration), which will determine the future donor's biological identity card.

[1]

Source: ViaVoice survey conducted from March 22 to 27, 2024 on a sample of 98 people living in La Réunion, representative of the population aged 18 to 35.