Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2025

This September, let’s give blood cancer patients a second chance at life.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is here, and this year our mission is clear: diversify the stem cell donor register. A more diverse register means better chances for patients - especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds - to find a lifesaving match.

Why is diversity so important?

Finding a matching stem cell donor depends heavily on ethnic background. Patients are far more likely to find a match from someone who shares a similar ethnic heritage.

But here’s the problem:

Only 16% of registered UK stem cell donors come from minority ethnic backgrounds.

This means patients from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority communities face much lower chances of finding a match.

DKMS has registered 13 million potential donors worldwide, but the lack of diversity on the register is still costing lives. Together, we can change that.

Listen to Your Aunties – Our new campaign

We’ve launched “Listen to Your Aunties” to encourage Black and South Asian communities to join the stem cell donor register and give hope to patients across the globe.

Learn more about the campaign:

Join the DKMS Big Cheekender – 27 & 28 September 2025

This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, let’s take action together!

On the last weekend of September, we’re hosting the DKMS Big Cheekender - a nationwide effort to run as many swabbing events as possible. Our goal? Register hundreds of new potential lifesavers in just one weekend.

Get involved and host an event:

Spread the word – you can save lives

You don’t have to be a donor to make a difference. Help us share the message:

• Post on social media
• Put up awareness posters in your workplace
• Send a message to friends and family

Every bit of support counts. Together, we can inspire more people to register as potential stem cell donors. And don’t forget to share the link - dkms.org.uk/register - so others can order a swab kit.

Download materials to help spread the word:

Make a life-saving donation

It costs £40 to register a new potential donor on the UK stem cell registry. Your donation helps us cover these costs and give more patients a second chance at life.

Each year, 39,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder. Every contribution helps someone in need.

Gift a money donation: