Stem cell donation: a guide
Stem cell transplants save the lives of people with blood cancers, among other diseases. For some people, they are the only chance of being cured. Find out more about what stem cells are and how you can sign up as a donor in our Q&A.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the building blocks of the body. Produced in bone marrow, they can grow into different cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This makes them vital in the healthy function of the human body.
How do stem cell transplants work?
Stem cell transplants save the lives of people with blood cancers, such as leukaemia, among other diseases. For some people, they are the only chance of being cured.
In order for a patient to receive a stem cell transplant, a matching donor must first be found. In around 70% of cases, patients must rely on a volunteer donor, finding a match with a relative in the remaining 30%.
What is the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry?
The NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry is a list of potential stem cell donors. Operated by NHS Blood and Transplant, the Registry can be searched by clinicians across the world looking for life-saving matches for patients in need.
Why have you changed the Registry name?
Before August 2024, the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry was known as the British Bone Marrow Registry.
We have changed the name to better reflect the nature of the donation process. Nine out of ten stem cell donations are now made via the blood, rather than the bone marrow.
The new name also reflects the fact that the stem cell register is held by the NHS and provides donors internationally, as part of agreements with other worldwide registries.
Our audience research helped to shape this new approach and identity which has been received positively by our donors.
Who do you need to join the register?
We currently recruit male and female blood, plasma and platelet donors who are aged between 17 and 40.
Clinical data shows that stems cells transplanted from younger people are more successful.
We particularly need more donors who are of Black or Asian heritage and from mixed ethnic communities to join the register.
Patients in need of a life-saving transplant are far more likely to match with stem cell donors of a similar ethnic heritage. Those of Black, Asian, or mixed ethnic heritage are currently less likely to find a match than White patients.
How do I join the register?
It’s easy to join: an extra blood sample is taken during your blood, plasma, or platelet donation appointment.
Please tell a member of staff that you wish to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry before you donate.
If you are eligible, you may also be asked whether you would like to join the register during your next donation. Please take a moment to read the information available and consider joining.
I am already registered on the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) – do I need to do anything?
There will be no changes for donors who are already enrolled on the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR), as these records will simply form part of the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. Donors already registered on the BBMR do not need to register again.
Please keep your details updated so we can contact you should you be found as a match. You can do this at blood.co.uk/stemcells.
I am registered with another UK stem cell registry – do I need to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry too?
No – if you are already registered via any of the other UK registers (DKMS UK, the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, or Anthony Nolan), then there is no need to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. All UK registries are aligned as one register when searching for a match.
What happens after I join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry?
After your blood sample is tested and typed, your details will be added to the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. These anonymised details will be available to clinicians when searching for a match for a patient in need of a stem cell transplant.
Once you have joined the register, there is nothing more for you to do unless you are contacted.
If you are found as a match for a patient, we will contact you and support you throughout the process.
It is rare to be found as a match – most donors will never be contacted – but every additional donor we register increases the chances that a life-saving match can be made.
What happens if I am found to be a match for a patient?
If you are found as a match for a patient in need, we will contact you. You will be supported throughout the whole process, and we will cover expenses or losses of earnings.
Nine out of ten stem cell donations are made using a machine similar to those used in plasma or platelet donation. This process usually takes around 4 hours and will take place at one of our designated collection centres around the country. You can sit back, relax, and watch a film or read a book during this time.
Around one donation in ten is made by donating bone marrow. This involves collecting blood stem cells directly from the bone marrow under a general anaesthetic.
By joining the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry you could one day be a life-saving match for a patient.