| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2664356 | Journal of Pediatric Nursing | 2015 | 7 Pages |
•Saving my sister's (or brother's) life was the central phenomenon identified by sibling donors.•There was no question about whether or not they would be the donor to save their sibling's life.•Most participants recalled expecting the donated bone marrow to take immediate effect.•The emotional benefit of saving their sibling's life outweighed any pain or minor discomforts.•Researchers should focus on motivations and late-effect outcomes for recipients and donors.
This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to explore how pediatric sibling donors of a successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation conceptualized their donation experiences. Saving my sister's (or brother's) life describes the central phenomenon identified by this purposive sample of 8 sibling donors. Five themes captured their memories: being the perfect match, stepping up, worrying about the outcome, the waiting process, and sharing a special bond. Further research surrounding changes in relational issues will provide insight into inter-sibling support and the developmental course of the sibling relationship into adulthood when intensified by a health crisis.
