Campaign

#MakeItRed for World Blood Cancer Day

Red tree standing in a green field

What is World Blood Cancer Day?

We celebrate World Blood Cancer Day every year on 28 May to mark the founding of DKMS in Germany. This year, we are marking 33 years since our foundation in 1990.

During this time, we have registered more than 11.5 million blood stem cell donors worldwide, including over 950,000 potential donors in the UK.

But there is still much more to do…

Currently, four out of ten UK patients looking for an unrelated blood stem cell donor will not find their lifesaving match. We won’t stop until every patient who needs a blood stem cell donor can find one.

Help us spread the word and save more lives this World Blood Cancer Day.

Take the #MakeItRed challenge

Raise awareness about DKMS on social media by getting involved in our “#MakeItRed” challenge in the lead-up to World Blood Cancer Day 2023.

Natural History Museum, London lit red marking World Blood Cancer Day and the DKMS Gala 2023
Natural History Museum, London lit red marking World Blood Cancer Day and the DKMS Gala 2023
Natural History Museum, London lit red marking World Blood Cancer Day and the DKMS Gala 2023

From Monday 22 May to Sunday 28 May 2023, turn both ordinary or unexpected items red for DKMS in any way you like.

Get creative...bake a batch of red cupcakes, wear a red jumper, cover an object around your home in red paint...whatever you choose to do is up to you!

Piece of red knitting on the needles and a red embrodery project in progress
Caroline displaying her red polished and DKMS branded fingernails
Six iced cup cakes sitting on a metal cooling tray

Turn your item red then share a photo or video of you on social media “Making It Red”, using the #MakeItRed hashtag. In your post, nominate a family member, friend or colleague to do the same.

Free resources

Download our World Blood Cancer Day 2023 zip file of free digital resources and information to help you get involved in #MakeItRed and World Blood Cancer Day this year.

Watch this space for updates to our resources as we progress through May.

Together, we can add more donors to the blood stem cell register - more potential lifesavers!

Another way to help

You can also help by making a financial gift.

It costs DKMS £40 to send and process every swab kit. If you’re able to help cover this cost by donating whatever you can afford, it will help us to continue our vital work.

However you choose to get involved, you will be making a huge difference to people living with blood cancer and blood disorders.

Thank you!

Help us find more donors
Everyone who needs a blood stem cell transplant must find their potential donor. Can you help?