Busting myths about stem cell donation — and giving a stranger a second chance at life
Joining the register
Nikki is an A&E doctor who lives in North Wales. She recently donated her stem cells to help save the life of a patient she has never met. After joining the DKMS stem cell donor register in December last year, Nikki was matched with a patient needing a transplant just six months later.
“I’d always meant to sign up,” Nikki says. “As a medical student, I’d looked into joining the register at university, but never got round to it. When I saw DKMS mentioned online, I decided to finally do it.”
Nikki had seen the impact of stem cell transplants first-hand during her haematology rotation as a junior doctor, and she knew how vital donors are. “I cared for a patient who had undergone a transplant and was in isolation for weeks, unable to see family. It feels full circle to now be on the other side of that experience.”
Nikki’s donation
After initial medical checks, Nikki travelled to The Christie in Manchester to donate her stem cells. “It’s not a big impact, and you get to make a massive difference to someone’s life.” Shortly after the donation, Nikki learned her stem cells had gone to a patient overseas.
Like many, Nikki had heard myths about stem cell donation. “I knew the chances of being matched were low, and I’d heard it could be painful or complicated. But when I got the call in June, I realised how straightforward and supported the process really is.”
Busting stem cell donation myths
Nikki wants to help to bust four common myths about stem cell donation:
1. Stem cell donation is painful and involves surgery
“Nine out of ten donations are done via a non-surgical method, similar to giving blood. My donation was completed in a single day, without an operation.”
2. You'll be seriously unwell after donating
“I had mild fatigue from the pre-donation injections, but I was back at the gym just over a week later. In fact, most DKMS donors report being fully back on their feet within a fortnight.”
3. It's unlikely you'll ever be matched
“Every new donor increases the chances for patients still waiting to find a compatible donor – just by signing up you are part of a worldwide chain of hope.”
4. Joining the donor register is complicated and time consuming
“Signing up involves a few cheek swabs and a short health questionnaire – which take just minutes. If you are matched with someone needing a stem cell transplant, DKMS guides donors through every step. The experience was straightforward, safe, and incredibly rewarding.”
You can find more answers to commons questions about becoming a donor here.
Now, Nikki is keen to encourage more people to join the stem cell donor registry. She says: “It’s natural to be unsure, but there’s nothing to be scared of. The whole procedure is easy and well supported, and there’s so much help available.
“Most of my family and friends don’t know what stem cell donation is, so I’m really happy to be able to share my story. Even if one person visits the DKMS website and signs up, I’ll be delighted.”
If, like Nikki, you want to join the stem cell donor register, you can sign up and order your swab kit here.
