Medical experts address stem cell donation misconceptions

Medical experts and the Association of Being One of a Thousand Volunteers (BİNSENDER) are working to correct misconceptions regarding stem cell donation, which they say are deterring potential donors. Experts emphasize that stem cell donation is not necessarily a painful surgical procedure involving the spinal cord. While bone marrow collection may be used in some cases based on medical necessity, cells are frequently collected from peripheral blood.

Hematologist Prof. Dr. Ali İrfan Emre Tekgündüz noted that donor safety is the priority and the specific method is determined by medical requirements. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Hakan İsmail Sarı clarified that leukemia is not exclusively a childhood disease and can affect adults and the elderly. Advances in immunotherapy and cellular treatments have significantly improved success rates for previously difficult-to-treat types of leukemia.

To combat misinformation, BİNSENDER is preparing to launch the ‘Bir Silgi Bir Umut’ (One Eraser, One Hope) project. The initiative aims to spread accurate information, increase awareness of adult leukemia patients, and encourage more conscious volunteering. As of June 2026, the number of active donor candidates in TÜRKÖK has exceeded 1.231 million.