Help save more children like Demi

Get involved, support our mission

Join the register, raise awareness, do a fundraising challenge - you choose!

Become a stem cell donor

DKMS staff member role-playing Darth Vader

Fundraise for us

Male DKMS volunteer at a DKMS stand

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What we do

Man donating blood stem cells via peripheral blood stem cell collection

Eligibility to register

Indian lady with her two sons - one son is being swabbed

Finding the perfect match: DKMS Free HLA Typing Programme

Three people dressed in medical tunics and masks in a hospital

Treatments for blood cancers and blood disorders

Detail of an apherisis machine

Donating blood stem cells

Graphic of DKMS woman shaking hands with a man in green t-shirt

Improving access to stem cell transplantation

DKMS around the world

Blood stem cell donation explained

Giving blood cancer patients a second chance at life

We are fighting blood cancer. We want as many people as possible to join the blood stem cell donor register.

Join a lifesaving team with DKMS and the EFL

Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2024

DKMS Summer Challenge has launched!

View all campaigns

Becoming a donor: your questions answered

What are blood cancers and blood disorders?

Blood cancers and blood disorders are caused by changes in the genes of blood cells.

Mostly cancer gene changes happen during your lifetime. In some blood disorders, you are born with faulty genes that you’ve inherited from your parents.

Find out more

How are blood stem cells collected?

Blood stem cells are collected from donors in one of two ways:

Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection takes from the bloodstream. This procedure is used in 90 percent of donations. No surgery is necessary; you can usually leave the clinic on the same day.
Bone marrow donation is used in 10 percent of donations. This takes place under general anaesthesia using a puncture needle in the iliac crest of the pelvis. Your stay in hospital can last up to three days in total.

Find out more

Your stem cell donation: preparation and procedure.

Who can register as a potential blood stem cell donor?

If you are aged between 17 and 55 years and in general good health, you may be able to register as a blood stem cell donor.

For details of our basic requirements and more detailed information on the key conditions that:

do not prevent you from becoming a blood stem cell donor
will prevent you from becoming a blood stem cell donor

Find out more

Eligibility to register as a blood stem cell donor.

Woman opening envelope containg her requested swab kit

Meet our patients, donors and #TeamDKMS

Our patients and donors have incredible stories to share embodying what DKMS help really means for them, their families and supporters.

Middle aged woman and young boy

Jacob meets his hero!

Five years after his transplant, a young boy meets the woman who gave him a second chance at life in an emotional encounter.

DKMS volunteers at event standing together

Tasneem inspires Leicester to sign up!

DKMS volunteer reaches out successfully to South East Asian community and beyond.

A collage of dkms volunteers

The Stem Cell Society is here!

New student initiative to add more potential stem cell donors to the registry

Young patient a the hospital

Carys' journey: a joyful update

Young patient overcomes leukaemia relapse with a successful stem cell transplant.

A few hours – a world of hope

Newport dad David donates his stem cells to give a stranger more time with their family.

Lady on a hospital bed holding a bag of stem cells

Niamh’s selfless act for a stranger

Niamh encourages more young people to register as stem cell donors.

Two people at a rooftop in Newyork

A transatlantic bond formed through giving

Poonam and Viren's journey from stem cell donation to lifelong friendship

Stem cell donor at the hospital

A firefighter's commitment to life

Adam extends his dedication to saving lives beyond battling fires by donating stem cells.

Asian stem cell donor smiling and holding a bag of stem cells

A mother’s mission

Birmingham-based mum offers a second chance at life to a patient in need of a stem cell transplant.

DKMS volunteer at an event

From grief to giving

Cecilia's path from personal loss to advocacy in blood cancer awareness and stem cell registration.

How to get involved

Discover how you can support DKMS in giving hope to people living with blood cancers and blood disorders.

Volunteer with us!

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Partner with us!