We’ll call you to let you know! Donation involves a simple procedure with minimal discomfort. And we support you throughout, ensuring top medical care and thorough information.

Matches are rare and are based on genetic compatibility. But while not everyone will donate, your registration increases chances for those in need. Particularly those with diverse ethnic backgrounds. We need more benchwarmers!

The odds of being asked to donate depend on several factors, such as the size of the registry, your age, and your ethnicity.

In Australia, we currently have around 160,000 registered donors, which gives each donor roughly a 1 in 1,500 chance of being called upon.

Younger male donors aged 18-35 have a much higher likelihood of being matched and asked to donate. It’s also important to note that our current donors do not reflect the multicultural makeup of Australia. This means that individuals from diverse backgrounds may have a higher chance of being matched with a patient in need.

While the odds might not seem extremely high, they are certainly better than winning the lottery! Every donor makes a difference, and you could be the one to help save a life.

Many people are surprised to learn that donating stem cells or bone marrow is much less painful than they are led to believe (thanks, Grey’s Anatomy).

In fact, about 90% of donors provide stem cells through a process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection. This is similar to donating plasma and takes place in a comfortable chair (with snacks!).

Blood is drawn from one arm, stem cells are filtered out, and the rest of the blood is returned to you through the other arm. The whole process usually takes about 4 to 6 hours, but you can relax and enjoy the experience.

The main cost to you as a donor will be your time. This includes time to enrol, provide additional blood samples if requested and time to be assessed by a doctor and actually donate your stem cells if you are matched to a patient in need.

We’ll support you throughout the entire donation process, including providing resources to help explain to your employer why you may need time off, answering any questions you may have along the way, and we’ll cover travel, medical and hospital expenses related to your donation. This includes incidental expenses and any accommodation and transport costs that may arise if you need to travel.

Note that, as a volunteer, you will not receive any form of payment for donating as this is against the Human Tissue Act.

The focus on young men as donors isn’t about quality; it’s more about quantity and some practical considerations. Generally, men tend to be larger, which means they can provide a higher volume of stem cells. This can be crucial for patients who need a transplant.

Additionally, medical professionals often prefer male donors to minimise potential logistical issues, such as those that can arise with pregnant or breastfeeding women. Pregnant women can develop antibodies that may trigger Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) in recipients, a serious condition that can impact a patient’s recovery and chances of survival.

However, we want to emphasise that young, healthy women are also excellent candidates for donation! Every donor has the potential to make a life-changing impact, and we value all who step forward to help.

We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who wants to make a difference by joining our registry. When it comes to donating stem cells, younger donors are preferred because they lead to better outcomes for patients. This focus on young donors helps us ensure that the patients’ transplants have the best chance of success.

While we do keep donors on the registry until their 60th birthday in case they become the perfect match for someone in need, we have to be mindful of our limited resources. Our priority is to engage those who can provide the greatest potential for successful transplants, which is why we encourage those aged between 18 and 35 years old to register.

If you’re outside this age range, please know that your passion and willingness to help are valued, and we appreciate your support in spreading the word about the importance of donating stem cells.

After your donation we will stop including your information in any new patient searches, to ensure you’re available for the same patient in case they need a second transplant or other matched blood products. If this is the case, you may be asked to do another full donation or just a normal blood donation. After two years you’ll automatically become available again for other patients.

Your health and safety after donation is just as important to us as your health before. For this reason, we will stay in regular contact for a while to make sure you’re okay. You can expect a call within 3 days of collection and weekly until you are fully recovered and have resumed your normal activities. We will also get in touch at three months and then annually for up to 10 years to check your general health. If you have donated peripheral blood stem cells you will also be asked to see your general practitioner (GP) after the donation.