You could save a life

This is your moment

Registering as a stem cell donor is your chance to something real. Something that matters. Something that could save a life.

You’ve already taken the first step just by being here. Now see how easy it is to become someone’s lifesaving match.

Why this matters

Every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer.

For many, a stem cell transplant is their only chance at surviving. But finding a matching donor? That’s the hard part.

We especially need more young people to sign up as stem cell donors. Research shows younger donors often give patients the best chance of a successful transplant.

That means you could literally be someone’s best chance at survival.

Who are DKMS?

We are a charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

We grow and maintain the UK’s largest stem cell donor register, connecting patients with the people who could save their lives.

The more people who join the register as stem cell donors, the more lives we can save.

You could be someone’s lifesaving match – register today!

• It’s easy to register. Just do three quick cheek swabs, send them back, and you’re done.
• If you’re aged 16–55 and in general good health, you can join the register.
• If you’re a match, you could save the life of someone with blood cancer or a blood disorder.

What happens if I'm a match?

There are a lot of myths about stem cell donation, but the reality is much simpler (and less scary) than most people think.

Most people are never called to donate. But if you are, there are two main ways to donate:

• PBSC: in nine out of ten cases, donating your stem cells looks similar to giving blood.
• Donating by bone marrow: in around ten per cent of cases, due to the needs of the recipient, a donor’s bone marrow is collected under general anaesthetic via a simple needle in their hip bone. This usually involves a short hospital stay of one or two days.

DKMS will be there to guide you through the process, we’ll organise everything, including travel and accommodation - so you're fully supported.

Got questions? Email us anytime: info@dkms.org.uk