Whenever a patient with blood cancer needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant, they search the register, looking for someone who’s a match for that patient.
In the UK, there are two organisations working to recruit donors – Anthony Nolan and Delete Blood Cancer (DKMS) – focusing on two different age groups shown below.
If you fit the bill for one of the age groups below, please click through on the link to begin the registration process. Please note that whether it’s stem cells (90% of cases) or bone marrow (10% of cases) that you donate, your body quickly replenishes them. And they give someone else the chance for life.
If you’re between 16 and 30 and in good health, you can apply to join to the Anthony Nolan register (you’ll stay on it until you turn 60). They’ll send you a spit kit in the post so that you can give them a quick saliva sample.
People joining the Anthony Nolan Trust register must:
- be between 16 and 30 years old
- be in good health
- weigh over 7st 12lbs (50kg)
- have a body mass index (BMI) lower than 40
If you’re between 31 and 55 and in good health, you can apply to join to the DKMS register (you’ll stay on it until you turn 60). They’ll send you a swab kit in the post so that you can give them a quick saliva sample.
People joining the DKMS register must:
- be no older than 55 years old
- be in good health
- weigh over 7st 12lbs (50kg)
- have a body mass index (BMI) lower than 40