This is Alexey Motyakov who is 34 years old. He is a blood donor, and now has become a bone marrow donor. Alexey and his family live in the Vladimir region, in the city of Murom. He works for a large accredited IT company that serves the Russian Railway. Alexey came to the NMRC for Hematology of the Ministry of Health of Russia to help save the life of a seriously ill person.
"In 2021, I saw an advertisement that it is possible to join the unified database of bone marrow donors. At that time, I was already a blood donor. I have 12 donations, if I'm not mistaken, and I was also interested in the possibility of becoming a bone marrow donor. Before joining the register, I read about the process on the Internet. After I realized that this is a painless and safe process, I underwent typing. Three years later, a woman called me and said that there was a patient with a similar phenotype who needed my help. Without hesitation, I went through additional tests, which were sent to Moscow. Then, we got the call that I was suitable as a donor. I went for a consultation directly with the doctor where I had a full body check-up. I have 7 sheets of blood tests to prove it. Now, I literally know everything about my body. Half a month passed and I was invited back to the NMRC for Hematology," Alexey said.
Together with the doctor, the preferred method of donation from venous blood was chosen using the apheresis method. This is when hematopoietic stem cells are separated from other blood components of the donor using a special device. Before the procedure, Alexey underwent five days of preparation. He was subcutaneously injected with special drugs that stimulated the release of bone marrow cells into the blood. The stem cell collection procedure itself took 5 hours.
"My wife was the most worried, although she herself wanted to become a donor, but unfortunately was not allowed due to certain contraindications. The doctors explained that it was not worth worrying about. All indicators would recover to normal values within a few weeks. I think that there is very little information about bone marrow donation in the media, on city banners and advertising stands. The only place I saw this information was on the train, when I was traveling back from Moscow after the first consultation with the doctor. It was on one of the spreads of the Russian Railways magazine, which is given to travelers on a free basis. I wish there was more information about bone marrow donation available to the public. Do I think that donation is a heroic act? Judging from the fact that it helps to save someone's life, then, probably yes. And so, in general, this is a common procedure for helping a person who needs it. Yes, I would like to meet with the patient. As far as I know, in six months I may be informed on whether the patient entered remission or not. And in two years they can give him my contact information. For people who want to join the register, but are in doubt, I would like to say that you do not need to be afraid. Anyone can donate blood for typing. Whether you can become a donor or not is up to the doctors to decide, based on your state of health and contraindications. Life now mostly consists of work, home, and family. Donation- is a long-term act that can help save a human life,” Alexey said.
