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Background: Diagrams which allow potential unrelated stem cell donors to visualize the stem cell collection process were hypothesized to support the recruitment and education of committed stem cell donors. Study design and methods: A series of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell collection procedure diagrams were developed, featuring young adult male donors of varied ethnic backgrounds. Post‐implementation, surveys were conducted to evaluate stakeholder perspective on the diagrams' utility. A quality improvement project was conducted at five stem cell drives from 2017 to 2018 at which recruiters did or did not show the diagrams to potential donors. Following the drives, registrants were invited to complete a survey exploring their experience, knowledge and attitude towards donation. Results: The diagrams were implemented in Canada in 07/2016. Of 293 participating registrants (24·7% non‐Caucasian males) recruited at five drives between 2017 and 2018, 76% (n = 197) were shown the diagrams. Participants who were shown the diagrams were significantly more likely to report that the recruiters appeared very knowledgeable (89% vs. 76%, P = 0·019) and to report improved self‐reported knowledge of stem cell donation (P = 0·010) compared to participants not shown the diagram. Data are also shown demonstrating that stakeholders in donor recruitment used and valued the diagrams and that use of the diagrams was associated with improved donor recruitment outcomes in Canada. Conclusion: This report is the first evaluation of stem cell collection diagrams in the literature. The diagrams are relevant to donor registries, recruitment organizations and transplant centres worldwide, and their use may support efforts to educate and recruit committed, ethnically diverse donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of patients require life-saving stem cell transplants, often from unrelated donors. In order to facilitate this process, bone marrow and stem cell registries have been established to genetically catalog potential donors and can be used to find matches for patients in need. Given the wide genetic variability in populations and significant ethnic disparities in donor registries worldwide, there are substantial gaps in the availability of compatible unrelated stem cell donors. Limited understanding of the procedures involved in stem cell donation, along with potential misconceptions of associated risks, may discourage prospective donors. Many people are unaware that there are two established methods for stem cell donation from adult donors, either through bone marrow harvest or-more commonly-through peripheral blood stem cell harvest. This evidence-based commentary explores these two procedures, deconstructs misconstrued fears associated with stem cell donation and subsequently encourages readers to consider registering as stem cell donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]