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ONE STEP CLOSER TO A WORLD WITHOUT BLOOD CANCER

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We are making a difference.
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12,000,000

Donors registered with DKMS worldwide


110,000

Donations from our donors worldwide

Team 10 Million
03:34

There are many ways to get involved and support our mission.
You can raise awareness, join the registry, host your own [registration] event,
take on a fundraising challenge, or anything in between.
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The patients we help

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LEARN MORE ABOUT DKMS

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About DKMS

DKMS - We delete blood cancer

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Our engagement in science and research

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Already registered? Check out our donor resources.
Donor info
We provide blood cancer patients with a second chance at life.
The vision of DKMS is to fight blood cancer. We work tirelessly to build a
community of donors so every patient has a potential second chance at life.
11/15/2023
We all have regrets but...
09/07/2023
Billy Strong! We Fight Together
09/01/2023
It's Swabtember!
08/09/2023
100 Second Chances at Life with Earl Young’s Team
View all campaigns
Lifesaving starts here.
Become a donor


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHO CAN REGISTER AS A POTENTIAL BLOOD STEM CELL DONOR?



If you are between the ages of 18 and 55-years-old and in general good health,
then you may be able to register as a blood stem cell donor.

If you have previously registered with DKMS or another donor center, there is no
need to do so again, as you will already be available for searches worldwide. If
you have been diagnosed with any chronic or serious illnesses (whether current
or in the past), please check with us before signing up.

The National Marrow Donor Program has established medical guidelines that we
follow to protect the safety of the donor. The following medical conditions
would prevent a person from registering as a donor or from being cleared to
donate.

 * HIV
 * History of heart surgery or heart disease
 * Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple
   sclerosis
 * Fibromyalgia
 * Sleep apnea, breathing problems or severe asthma (daily inhalers are
   acceptable)
 * Diabetes requiring insulin or injectable medication
 * Hepatitis B or C
 * Kidney or liver disease
 * History of stroke, including TIA
 * Multiple concussions or head injuries
 * Chronic or severe neck or back problems
 * Epilepsy or other seizure within one year
 * History of blood clotting or bleeding disorders
 * Personal history of cancer (exceptions: Stage 0 or in situ melanoma, breast,
   bladder, cervical and cured localized skin cancer such as basal cell or
   squamous cell carcinoma)




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HOW ARE PATIENTS MATCHED WITH DONORS?



A cheek cell sample is collected at registration. The sample is tested for the
HLA characteristics and added to the global donor pool. Doctors can then search
the registry and find a matching donor for their patient by comparing the
patient's HLA to the donor's.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW DOES A BONE MARROW OR BLOOD STEM CELL DONATION WORK?



Peripheral stem cell donation

In about 80 percent of the cases the stem cells are taken from the bloodstream.
The donor is administered the growth factor G-CSF for five days. This drug
increases the number of stem cells in the peripheral blood, which are then
obtained directly from the blood using a special procedure. The donation takes
4-8 hours on one or two consecutive days. No surgery is necessary, you can
usually leave the clinic the same day. This procedure has been used at DKMS
since 1996. During the administration of the drug, flu-like symptoms may occur.
Long-term side effects are not known according to the current state of research.

Bone marrow donation

In this method, bone marrow is taken from the donor under general anaesthesia
using a special syringe from the iliac crest. Two small incisions in the area of
the rear pelvic bone are usually sufficient. The resulting wounds are so small
that they only require a few stitches or often no stitches at all and heal
quickly. The removal is performed in the prone position and takes about 60
minutes. With bone marrow donation, the risk is essentially limited to the
anesthetic. About 5 percent of the bone marrow is taken from the iliac crest.
Usually, the donor's bone marrow regenerates completely within 2 to 4 weeks.
Local wound pain can occur, similar to a contusion. Only in rare cases can there
be pain that lasts longer. The stay in the hospital lasts three days in total.
In most cases, as a precautionary measure, a sick note is taken for a few days.

The type of withdrawal depends on the health condition of the patient. A donor
should be prepared to use both methods.

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WHAT IS BLOOD CANCER?



Blood cancer is the generic term for malignant diseases of the bone marrow or
blood-forming system, in which normal blood formation is disturbed by the
uncontrolled multiplication of malignant blood cells. Because of these cancer
cells, the blood can no longer perform its vital tasks, such as fighting
infections, transporting oxygen or stopping bleeding.

Curing blood cancer

Blood cancer patients can often only overcome the disease with the help of a
stem cell donation from a suitable donor. In the case of leukemia and malignant
lymphomas, the transfer of healthy stem cells is often the only chance of a
cure.

Leukemia

A series of malignant diseases in which there is a pathologically increased
proliferation of immature and therefore, non-functional white blood cells.
Malignant lymphomas are divided into Hodgkin's disease (lymphogranulomatosis)
and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (lymphatic leukemia), according to their different
characteristics.

Lymphoma, malignant

Malignant alteration of lymphatic tissue with swelling of the lymph nodes and
pathological enlargement of the spleen. Malignant lymphomas are divided
according to their different characteristics into Hodgkin's disease
(lymphogranulomatosis) and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (lymphatic leukemia), which
originate from the lymph nodes.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT DISEASES DO BONE MARROW AND BLOOD STEM CELLS TREAT?



Bone marrow transplants can be the best or only treatment for patients fighting
blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as approximately 70
other conditions including sickle cell disease, severe aplastic anemia, immune
system disorders and inherited metabolic disorders. Nearly 20,000 Americans need
bone marrow transplants every year (Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human
Services based on data from NMDP).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go to FAQ

Stories that tell what we fight for
Every one of our patients and donors has an incredible story to share. Stories
that embody what the help really means for them, their families and supporters.
Patient & Donor Meeting
11/15/2023
Bone Marrow Donor Sparks Emotional Reunion for Teen Beating Leukemia
In 2004, Kelly and Kenny Orth embraced joy from Guangdong, China, adopting baby
Mesa, named ...
All News
10/20/2023
DKMS Welcomed Strong Supporters to its October 19th Gala at Cipriani Wall Street
Raising Funds for Global Work Against Blood Cancer. Event Featured Performance
by Singer Bill...
Patient & Donor Meeting
09/22/2023
From Lifesaver to Best Man
On September 16th, 2023, Ben Clark married Jayme, the love of his life. But he
couldn’t do it...
Patient & Donor Meeting
07/31/2023
11-year-old James Meets His Donor
At the 2023 DKMS London Gala, James met his donor, Luke, a 39-year-old veteran
of the British...
All News
07/17/2023
Dan’s Passion for Team DKMS
Dan started his journey with DKMS registering potential lifesavers on his
college campus. Now...
Donor Story
07/06/2023
Alyson Donates in Honor of Her Cousin
Alyson celebrated the memory of her cousin, Michael, in her Rocky Balboa shirt
while becoming...
All News
06/20/2023
Saving Lives Service Award
Thanks to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, DKMS is excited to bring grant
funding to nonpro...
Donor Story
05/25/2023
Duke University Med School Student has a Full Circle Moment
Playing soccer at Duke University started her donor story. To ease the fears of
others, Abby ...
Patient & Donor Meeting
05/25/2023
Ticia Meets her Hero
In 2018, Corpus Christi native Ticia Hanisch was diagnosed with leukemia and
myelodysplastic ...
All News
05/16/2023
Girl Scouts Host a Drive for 15-Year-old Battling Leukemia
Embodying the Girl Scout Promise, "To help people at all times," two Girl
Scouts, Lily and Ta...
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Become a potential donor today!
To become a potential blood stem cell donor is free! Check your eligibility and
request a swab kit.
Sign up now

Support our Mission
Support DKMS in many ways and thus give new hope for life to many blood cancer
patients.
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DKMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States;
incorporated in Washington D.C. in June 2004.

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