Become a blood stem cell donor

SEPTEMBER was Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and every year it allows DKMS to shine a light on blood cancer.

Blood cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK and every year more than 13,000 people die from blood cancer.

Over the past 18 months, as the pandemic took a grip of the UK, cancer patients across the country were directly affected by Covid-19, many reporting delays in their vital cancer treatment.

As CEO of blood cancer charity DKMS, it was deeply troubling to witness the drastic fall in the number of blood stem cell donors registering as potential lifesavers.

The importance of blood stem cell donors can’t be underestimated. These brave people offer a second chance of life to the 2,000 people in the UK each year waiting for a blood stem cell transplant.

Blood cancer patients are still in urgent need of lifesaving donors, and our You’ve Got it in You initiative urges people between the age of 17 and 55 to make a difference by taking the first step to becoming a blood stem cell donor and potential lifesaver.

We’ve continued to register people over the past month; however, just 2.4% of the UK’s population are registered as potential donors – and only a tiny proportion of these are from minority ethnic communities. If we are going to succeed in providing a matching blood stem cell transplant to every patient in need, we need you to take up the challenge and register.

If you are age 17 to 55 and in general good health, You’ve Got it in You to be a potential lifesaver for someone with blood cancer. Start by registering online for your home swab kit at www.dkms.org.uk/register-now. Thank you for your support. Jonathan Pearce

CEO, blood cancer charity DKMS