Several studies show that stem cells from younger donors improve patient outcome. However, in registering people aged 17-55 to the stem cell register, DKMS has been able to facilitate stem cell donations by people in their forties and fifties – both in the UK and overseas – which have offered a wide range of people needing transplants a second chance at life, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds. The upper age limit of 55 years for registering potential donors is for their safety: once registered, potential donors can stay on the register until their 61 birthday.
