A unique experience: meeting in person
For many people, this first meeting is an unforgettable and very emotional experience.
Meeting in person is often an incredibly moving experience. This person is your 'genetic twin': your donation may be the only reason they are still alive.
If you would like to contact the recipient of your blood stem cells or have any questions, please get in touch with us.
Depending on international guidelines, a donor and patient can exchange personal information two years after a donation. Before that, you can send letters to each other anonymously via DKMS if this is permitted in the patient’s country of residence. This is a good way to find out how the other person feels and whether you would like to get to know each other.
What happens after the anonymity period?
At the end of the two-year period of anonymity, you and the recipient can potentially exchange personal information and contact each other directly or meet face-to-face.
Unfortunately, some countries do not allow patients and donors to exchange information or meet up. If you are unsure about any of this, please get in touch as we would be happy to talk it through with you.
The decision about whether you would like to meet in person should be made consciously and carefully by you and the recipient of your blood stem cells.
Whatever decision you make, we will support you every step of the way. You can turn to us at any time with your joy and sadness, your hopes and doubts.
Sharing your experience online
Sharing your experience as a stem cell donor is an amazing way to motivate even more people to become lifesavers-in-waiting! If you want to share your story, we would love to hear from you.
For data protection reasons, it is very important that you avoid giving certain information about your donation or references to the patient. This is the only way we can protect the privacy of both patients and donors. We have created a handy social media guide for DKMS donors with tips and guidance on how to go about sharing your story.
If you would like us to support you in publishing your donor experience, please get in touch.
