Could you be the next hero?

My son, Joe, received a lifesaving stem cell transplant almost two years ago. At the time he was just three years old. I often think of the selfless person who gave their time and magic cells in order to give my son a better chance at a normal life.

Joe's story

Joe has an extremely rare primary immunodeficiency which means amongst other symptoms, he cannot fight bacterial and fungal infections. Several of these infections meant that at aged three he had to have part of his lung removed just before his transplant.

Although he’s had a lot of complications post-transplant, he’s in the best clinical state of health that he’s ever had in his short life.

Marking a milestone

To mark our two-year post-transplant milestone, I want to raise awareness of the ongoing need for stem cell donors, and, hopefully, get as many people as we can to sign up to the register

…to be the next hero!

What does a blood stem cell donation involve?

Donating is a straightforward process. For most people, it involves a few hours sitting in a comfortable chair, having blood withdrawn from your arm, with your expenses and travel paid by DKMS.

Our mission is to provide a matching donor for every patient with blood cancer or a blood disorder who needs a transplant. All it takes is one person to match each patient: that person might be you.

How you can help

We were lucky that Joe had several matches on the bone marrow register, both in the UK and abroad, but I know so many families who haven’t had the same luck. They have needed to desperately campaign to get donors signed up in the hope of finding the lifesaving match. I can’t imagine how worrying that must be in an already stressful situation.

You could be their lifesaver if you’re aged 17-55 and in generally good health.

Please consider helping others like Joe by joining the register. Just click the button below to request your swab pack.