I as 69 when I had my transplant. My MF had progressed to the riskiest stage and, because of my age, I was “running out of runway” in having to make a decision to go for the transplant or risk converting to AML. Also, with MF, my doctors told me my age could fast become a factor in getting approval for a transplant. Fortunately, I was in otherwise good health with no co-morbidities and, in very good physical condition. Unfortunately, my only living sibling was too old to even be considered as a donor. The local transplant coordinator searched the international donor registry and fairly quickly found several 12/12 matches. A donor from England was my best match, but our schedules could not be coordinated. The next best match was a 28 YO male from Germany and our schedules were compatible. So, I cannot really tell you much about the stem cell harvesting, except that the stem cells were taken from peripheral blood, not directly from the blood marrow. If I remember correctly, the donor had to take a series of shots before the harvesting day. I think the harvesting is like giving blood, but the blood is run into a separation machine to obtain the stem cells. That same day, a human courier hopped on a plane and brought the stem cells to my hospital and I received them the next morning, which is like getting a transfusion, and it was over in 10-15 minutes - sort of anticlimactic in a way.

I just recently contacted my transplant coordinator about making contact with my donor. I learned that I have to wait 2 years post-transplant with an international donor to make personal contact. I do want to thank him for helping extending/saving my life and to learn his motivation for donating and what that experience was like.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please let me know.