The Russian Red Cross and the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology under the Federal Medical-Biological Agency are in the process of launching a project to expand options for entering the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The project will enable any person to have their biomaterial sample taken for HLA typing even during Russian Red Cross actions conducted throughout the country. In this way the organizers are planning to reach as many potential donors as possible and make progress in recruitment of marrow donors and populating the Federal Registry.
According to the Russian Red Cross youth survey covering the age cohort between 18 and 35 y.o., 17% of young Russians are willing to join the marrow donor registry right now. The rest are still undecided, including for reasons related to doubt, anxiety, or failure to understand the meaning of joining the registry. The HLA typing method perfected by RosNIIGT FMBA allows for collecting biomaterial for genetic testing during donor actions and events without blood donation. This simplifies the process significantly and removes many barriers faced by potential donors.
“With every new donor added to the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow Donors, a person who needs bone marrow transplantation gets a real life saving chance. We are determined to make the process of entry as simple and open as possible: any willing person will soon be able to undergo testing while attending the Russian Red Cross events, without taking a blood test or going to a major medical center. This is an important step towards making bone marrow donation a conventional manifestation of solidarity and mutual support in our society,” remarked Pavel Savchuk, President of the Russian Red Cross and member of the RF Civic Chamber.
In order to be entered into the registry, a potential donor just needs to fill in relevant documents during RRC donor actions and take a buccal epithelium swab (smear from the inside of one’s cheek) using a special sterile bud. All samples thus collected are immediately marked, sealed and transferred to the Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology under FMBA. There they undergo the typing process for 2 to 4 weeks, donor data is entered into the Federal Registry and becomes available for matching with potential recipients in need of transplantation.
“One of the key strategies for populating the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors is expansion of entry points. Unlike the standard blood sampling process, cheek epithelial sample is taken by donors themselves using a swab, which means no preparation is required, and there is no need for specially equipped workplace and qualified medical personnel. This makes the recruiting process more accessible and convenient,” said Yelena Khromova, head of the HSC Donor Registry Department of FMBA RosNIIGT.
Similar typing programs are currently piloted by the RRC regional branches in Naryan-Mar, Vologda and Velikiy Novgorod. In autumn the program will be extended to other regional branches of RRC. It will also be possible to do the swabbing at regional branch offices.
The Russian Red Cross operates in strict compliance with the RF laws on personal data and transplantation. Donors must sign their official consent to personal data processing, and any samples and documents are transferred to the authorized state-run institute only. Confidentiality of personal data is guaranteed at every step, and the samples are stored in a manner that excludes unauthorized access.
