Blood stem cell donation

70% of patients who need a stem cell transplant don’t have a match within their family.

You could be their life-saving answer.

photo of mapalo smiling and looking off camera

Why register as a stem cell donor?

Stem cells are in the soft tissues inside your bone marrow. They make red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They can be the only hope for a cure for people with damage to their bone marrow from leukemia or a blood disorder. Your stem cells might just be the perfect match for someone like them.

Can I register?

Most likely! If you’re aged between 18 to 35 and in good health, you should be able to join the registry.

Men, you can make a real difference

Men aged between 18-35 are often the most successful blood stem cell donors because they can give more stem cells. That said, we encourage everyone within this age range to join the registry if they can.

Ethnic diversity is key

Having diverse people on the registry, helps more patients in Australia find their match so they don’t have to look internationally. If you’re from an Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, Pacific Islander, Asian or Middle Eastern ancestry, the registry really needs someone like you.

How do I register?

It only takes a few simple steps:

Start by enrolling with Stem Cell Donors Australia
Then, book a blood donation with Lifeblood
When you arrive at the donor centre, speak to our friendly staff about finishing your enrolment
Give a small blood sample at the same time of your donation, and enjoy a snack on us!

What happens next?

Your blood will be tested, typed, and recorded with Stem Cell Donors Australia. If you’re found to be a match, you’ll be contacted by them and they will advise you on the next steps . It might just be one of the most exciting phone calls you ever receive!

Did you know? Donors will only have a 1 in 1,500 chance of being a match each year.

Can’t give blood?

We may still be able to help you register. Give us a call on 13 14 95 to learn about your options.

Curious to learn more? Check out our FAQs

What is the stem cell donor registry and how is it connected to Lifeblood?: Lifeblood is a proud recruitment partner of Stem Cell Donors Australia, and we help them recruit donors for recipients needing their perfect match.
Why donate and register with Lifeblood?: When you register and donate with Lifeblood, you could be twice the lifesaver. Not only will you join the stem cell registry and potentially donate your bone marrow to someone in need, but you will also support patients who need blood or plasma products as part of their treatment.
How often does a patient find a match within their family?: Only 30% of patients find a match within their family. The remaining 70% of patients need to find an unrelated donor through the Australian donor registry or stem cell registries around the world
I’m already a blood donor. How do I sign up to the registry?: We'd love to help! If you’re between 18 to 35 years old, just speak to a friendly staff at your next blood donation and we’ll help you with the sign-up process.
If I am found to be a stem cell donor match, how does blood stem cell donation work?: If you are the perfect match for a patient, you will be contacted by our friends at Stem Cell Donors Australia. For most blood stem cell donations (around 90% of the time), the process is a lot like giving plasma, with a few additional steps. All donations are safe to do, and you’ll always feel incredibly special knowing you’ve helped save someone’s life. To find out more, check out Stem Cell Donors Australia.