Prepare to donate

Covering your costs as a donor

DKMS will arrange all examinations and treatments before you make your donation. We will organise your travel to and from the hospital collection centre and any accommodation that is needed.

How long you will be absent

Peripheral stem cell collection normally only requires one, or at most two days off for the donation. If you need more leave or sick time, DKMS can arrange a sick note from the collection centre for your employer.

Donating bone marrow from the iliac crest usually requires three days in hospital, admission and discharge days included, followed by up to seven days for appropriate recovery. If needed we can request a sick note from the collection centre to provide to your employer.

Arranging your leave

Loss of earnings

In our extensive experience, employees requesting leave to donate stem cells are usually greeted with very positive reactions at work. For your medical assessment and donation, DKMS will provide your work with an exemption note with the dates of your appointments.

Sometimes an employer may offer you paid leave of absence so you can donate. If you are not granted paid leave to attend your medical assessment and donation, you may be eligible for reimbursement of up to £200 per day, depending on your normal daily wage.

Please note that National Insurance (NI) contributions and tax will be applied and deducted from this amount.

If you are taking unpaid leave, we will require supporting documentation and evidence of your earnings, i.e. a recent payslip. DKMS will support you at every step of this process. When you have been officially requested to donate, DKMS will provide you with all the information you will need based on your employment situation.

Schools, universities and training centres

We issue exemption certificates for donors to present at their school, university or training centre.

Insurance cover for blood stem cell donors

Besides the statutory accident insurance, we take out additional accident insurance for every donor to cover the surgical procedure and outpatient stem cell collection, as well as travel to and from the collection clinic.

Accident insurance

DKMS holds private accident insurance for donors.

This protects you in the unlikely event of health problems injuries caused by the donation process, including:

Bone marrow collection and the associated anaesthesia
Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection
Accidents that might occur on your direct travel to and from home and the doctor/collection centre
Accidents on your direct travel to and from the collection centre for your donation, as well as during your stay at the centre
Accidents when you are at the premises where blood sampling is carried out

Full information and what is and isn't covered, plus important timeframes, can be found in the guide below.

Insurance cover

Thank you – what you’re doing truly matters

We’re so grateful you’ve chosen to donate your stem cells with DKMS. We want you to feel safe
and supported every step of the way, so here’s a clear overview of how you’re insured. If anything’s
unclear, your dedicated DKMS Coordinator is happy to help.

Covering the costs
We are here to look after you. If you need any of the following, your coordinator will make the
arrangements, including covering the costs for:
• any medically necessary tests and treatments as part of being a stem cell donor
• any hospital stay during your donation.
• expenses such as reasonable travel costs, loss of earnings, and other non-medical expenses
related to your donation – including journeys to and from the collection clinic. Please see the
DKMS reimbursement policy on the DKMS UK website for further details.
Accident insurance
DKMS holds private accident insurance for donors. This protects you in the unlikely event of health
problems or injuries caused by the donation process, including:
• Bone marrow collection and the associated anaesthesia
• Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection (apheresis)
You’re also covered for accidents that might occur:
• On your direct travel to and from home and the doctor/collection centre for preparation
• On your direct travel to and from the collection centre for your donation, as well as during your
stay at the centre
• When you are at the premises where blood sampling is carried out

What is covered
1. Loss of limb(s) (one or more)
2. Loss of sight (in one or both eyes)
3. Permanent total disablement
4. Total loss of hearing in one ear or both ears
5. Total loss of speech
6. Permanent partial disablement
7. Accidental death -- a sudden, external and identifiable event that happens by chance and
could not have been expected.

Important timeframes
• If there’s a permanent impairment (disability), a doctor must determine this within 18 months
of the accident.
• If the insured person dies within one year of the accident or operation from causes covered by
the insurance, the accidental death benefit is paid (please ask your DKMS Coordinator for the
full policy).
What isn’t covered
• Health issues or injuries that would have occurred without the donation (including the
worsening of existing conditions)
• Situations where medical or clinic instructions were wilfully or grossly negligently ignored
• Temporary conditions resulting from an accident or the donation process
• Companions

The full policy terms of the underlying contracts apply and can be viewed by contacting your
DKMS coordinator.

Download the Insurance Cover guide

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