Register as a potential stem cell donor

If you’re between 18 and 35 years old, you can help expand the pool of potential donors who could save the lives of people with blood cancer.

Every 28 minutes someone in Australia is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia or multiple myeloma. Each year, around 1200 people facing life-threatening blood cancers and disorders search for a volunteer stem cell donor as their best chance for long-term survival.

Most of these people desperately need a matched stem cell donor.

While the best chance of a cure is a stem cell transplant from a family member, the reality is that for many of those people – children and adults alike – such a match isn’t achievable. A blood stem cell transplant from someone of the same ethnic background is their next best hope of survival.

Why the need for more potential donors?

There is a pressing need to expand the existing pool of potential donors in Australia because:

•    the existing group of donors in Australia only helps around 80 patients each year 
•    80% of all stem cell transplants that take place in Australia use stem cells from overseas residents and distance and time can significantly reduce the chances of a cure.

How can you help?

You can support this very worthy cause by registering as a stem cell donor. Volunteers from Gift of Life, a partner of Stem Cell Donors Australia, will be at UNSW Kensington campus on Wednesday 15 October from 10am to 2pm in the foyer of Wallace Wurth (C27) where you can provide your profile details and complete a cheek swab on the spot. The entire process will take only about 10 minutes.

Are you eligible to donate?

If you’re between 18 and 35 years old, you can register to become a stem cell donor. You need to hold a valid Medicare card and be willing to donate anonymously to any patient if you are a match. There are some other general requirements and a few medical conditions that could exclude you. In more than 90% of cases donating stem cells only requires you to donate blood.

Find out more

Please review the Gift of Life Australia FAQs. To understand how donor information is collected and stored, we encourage you to read the Stem Cell Donors Australia Privacy Policy. For more detailed information please read this brochure or watch this video.

It is preferrable to book a time to attend on Wednesday 15 October so we can plan for your visit. Please book a time and then come to Wallace Wurth foyer at your preferred time.