Be Mason’s hero

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.

• Types of blood cancer
• Types of blood disorder

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.

• Your stem cell donation: preparation and procedure.

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

Eligibility to register as a blood stem cell donor.

The donation process is voluntary, as a donor you will not receive any payment for the stem cells you donate.

DKMS will organise your travel to and from the hospital collection centre and cover the costs associated with your appointments. We can also reimburse your loss of earnings, depending on your circumstances.

• Covering your costs as a donor.