Black History Month 2026
This Black History Month, DKMS UK is aiming to raise awareness about the importance of diversifying the stem cell register in the UK.
There's unfortunately a huge diversity gap on it at the moment.
While only 7% of the eligible UK population are registered with DKMS UK, just 16% of those registered are from UK minority ethnic backgrounds.
- It's important for people from these backgrounds to register and become potential stem cell donors because the genetic markers used to match donors with patients are inherited.
- This means that patients are more likely to find their closest match for a transplant in someone with a similar ethnic background to them.
Across October, our goal is to educate and encourage more people from these communities to join the register and highlight the real urgency and impact in doing so.
Remember, behind these statistics are real people – like Chris, Cecil, and Salma.
Chris – an agonising search
Living with a diagnosis of severe aplastic anaemia since earlier this year, Chris needs a stem cell transplant for a second chance at life.
Unfortunately for Chris, a fully matching donor hasn't been found.
HIs family were tested, but his brother was only found to be a half match for him.
Because Chris is half Jamaican, finding his closest possible match has been even harder than normal.
His ethnic background is hugely underrepresented on the stem cell register in the UK.
“My heritage shouldn’t make it harder to find a donor who could save my life.”
But unfortunately, this is the reality right now, and Chris isn't alone.
He and his family must now continue their appeal to find his lifesaving match.
Cecil – a dad's one wish
Cecil, a father from Rochdale, is also feeling the effects of the current state of the register. He was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis, so a stem cell transplant could save his life.
But unfortunately, his odds of finding a matching donor aren’t the same as everyone else's.
Cecil has been appealing to find his match since April, but has had no luck so far.
Unfortunately, his Afro-Caribbean heritage is also making his search for a match more difficult, but we want to change that.
“As a dad, I want the chance to see my son grow up.”
His heritage should not affect his odds for a second chance at life with his family.
Cecil's heritage should not affect his odds for a second chance at life with his family.
To fulfil his wish and get to see his son grow up, he and his family must now appeal to strangers from a similar ethnic background as him to join the stem cell register.
Salma – a love on hold
For 45 year-old Salma from Watford, the plans for her ideal wedding came screeching to a halt one day in 2025 when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
She and her fiancé's big day had to be put on hold as she came to terms with her new reality.
“The weekend before my diagnosis, I was trying on wedding dresses. I had everything booked and planned. I was gutted to have to cancel the wedding. The day I went to the hospital, I had to pack up my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses and return them.”
At first, Salma – who is of Moroccan and Persian heritage – couldn't find a matching donor, but began appealing to the public to join the stem cell register.
Salma explains, “If just one person can be saved because of the efforts made through this appeal, especially those of mixed ethnicities, it would make it all worthwhile.”
The reality is that for people of mixed ethnicities like Salma, finding a match is even more challenging than finding a needle in a haystack.
Thankfully, she eventually found her donor, and after many months of treatment, she got her happy ending. She was recently able to walk down then aisle and happily marry her husband, Marlon.
Now, she’s hoping for many more years of love, laughter, and precious moments together.
However, this is sadly not how everyone's story turns out.
Make a real difference
If you're Black or of mixed ethnicity, we urge you to join the stem cell register today.
You could be the reason people across the UK, like Chris and Cecil, get that precious extra time with their loved ones like Salma did.
Not eligible to register?
You can still meaningfully support our mission of diversifying the stem cell register in the UK by spreading the word and raising awareness in your local community.
Even just sharing our posts on socials can make a real difference.
Find other ways to get involved today.