Register to donate stem cells (bone marrow)
At ACLT, we are dedicated to getting more people to sign up for the stem cell (bone marrow) registers. We also highlight the severe shortage of donors of Black heritage and we work towards diversifying the registers.
ACLT does not take donations, we work with organisations such as Anthony Nolan and DKMS to encourage people to sign up to their registers to donate.
What you need to know about stem cell (bone marrow) donation...
The best chance of survival for someone living with blood cancer or a blood disorder, is for a matched donor to donate their stem cells (bone marrow). A genetic stem cell match could be the last option to save someone’s life.
According to NHS, Blood and Transplant, only 37% of transplant recipients from minority ethnic backgrounds receive the best stem cell donor match from an unrelated donor, compared to nearly 72% for Caucasian people.
ACLT works in partnership with organisations like Anthony Nolan, DKMS, and NHS Blood & Transplant to get more people to register who are of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage.
The ‘markers’ that are tested when matching a suitable donor are genetically inherited and often unique to a particular race. Therefore, patients who are looking for a stem cell transplant have a greater chance of finding a match with stem cell donors of a similar ethnicity.
ACLT think it is important for everyone to register to help grow the registers, so no matter your ethnicity we welcome you to register with us.
What happens when I register?
Registering
Donating
There are a few organisations you can use to register to be a potential stem cell (bone marrow) donor. Once you have registered online, your chosen organisation will send you a swab kit to complete at home and send back. Once they receive it you will then be added to their registers.
You can register with Anthony Nolan if you are 16 to 30 years old - here.
You can register with DKMS if you are 17 to 55 years old - here.
You only need to sign up to one of these registers and you will be registered until your 61st birthday.
Hear Justin's stem cell donation journey...
Justin registered in 2005 due to a campaign for DJ Swing. A few years later, he gave a stranger a second chance at life by donating his Bone marrow.
