There are three ways you can register as a potential stem cell / bone marrow donor in the UK, (via four organisations) – we know there’s a lot to read here ! but generally, you need to be aged between 16 and 55 years old, in general good health and have not registered as a stem cell / bone marrow donor before (it’s a one time action).
• Each organisation has slightly different criteria you need to satisfy before you can register with them. Please make sure you check the organisation’s criteria and the exclusions before registering.
• It is quite rare to be a match so it’s important that you understand the consequences of what is involved so that no one is disappointed in the event you are called to donate. On average, there’s roughly a 1 in 1,200 chance that you’ll actually be asked to donate stem cells once on the register.
• Blood stem cell registration is NOT the same as giving blood. Nor are blood donors automatically included on the stem cell register (only 15% of people who give blood are on the stem cell register).
If you’re not sure you can call either 0300 123 23 23 (British Bone Marrow Registry) or 0800 37 15 02 (Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry) and check, before you go to donate blood.
Check out the ways to register in the UK by clicking on the organisations listed below, or simply scroll down (where they are all listed).
Note: You only need to register with ONE of the four organisations listed below. Once you are on the system, all data goes onto the same UK Register, so fundamentally, it doesn’t really matter how you join the register, just as long as you do please !
If you have already registered with one of these organisations, you do not need to register again.
Want to know the difference between a stem cell transplant and a bone marrow transplant ? Click here to find out.
How do you actually donate ? Click here to find out.
Thank you.
Please watch this excellent video by Delete Blood Cancer UK.
Age Criteria – You must be aged between 17 and 55 years old
Health Criteria – You need to be in general good health (check the exclusion criteria on website)
Weight Criteria – You must weigh over 7st 12 Ibs (50kg) & have a body mass index (BMI) lower than 40
a) Go online to www.dkms.org.uk and fill in the online registration form.
b) When asked ‘How did you hear about us’, we would be most grateful if you could please mention Team Margot.
c) You will then be sent a ‘do it yourself’ swab kit in the post. Just rub the cotton bud like swabs on each cheek for 30 seconds, then pop the swabs back in the post in the return envelope.
d) That’s it ! your sample will be analysed and your data will be put on the UK register.
Age Criteria – You must be aged between 16 and 30 years old
Health Criteria – You need to be in general good health (check the exclusion criteria on website)
Weight Criteria – you must weigh over 7st 12 Ibs (50kg) & have a body mass index (BMI) lower than 40
a) Go online to www.anthonynolan.org and fill in the online application form.
b) Please select ‘Team Margot’ from the drop down box when asked ‘What prompted you to join the register today?’
c) A ‘do it yourself’ swab kit will be sent to you in the post. Just rub the cotton bud like swabs on each cheek for 30 seconds, then post the swabs back to Anthony Nolan.
d) That’s it ! Your sample will be tested and the results will be put on the UK Register.
From April 1st 2016, blood donors can only join the BBMR if they fit in to one of two groups:
Other Criteria – You must also be a blood donor
Health Criteria – You need to be in general good health (check the exclusion criteria on website)
Weight Criteria – You must weigh over 8 stone (51kg)
a) You must already be a blood donor so when next giving blood, inform the staff at the blood donation session that you wish to join the BBMR before your blood donation is taken.
b) An extra blood sample will be taken during your blood donation.
c) That’s it ! Your tissue type will be identified and added to the UK Registry. And it’s a ‘one-time’ event.
For further information go to :www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow
The check box on the Donor Health Check reads:
“I would like to give blood samples during my donation today to join the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry (WBMDR). I am aged between 17 and 30 years and have not previously joined the WBMDR.”
In summary, the eligibility criteria is as follows:
Age – You must be aged between 17 and 30 years old
Other – You must also be a blood donor
Health – You need to be in general good health (check the exclusion criteria on website)
Weight – You must weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg)
a) You must already be a blood donor so when next giving blood, inform the staff at the blood donation session that you wish to join the WBMDR before your blood donation is taken.
b) Alternatively enrol online at: https://www.welsh-blood.org.
c) An extra blood sample will be taken during your blood donation.
d) That’s it. Your tissue type will be identified and added to the UK Registry.
For further information go to : www.welsh-blood.org.uk/
Please watch this excellent video by the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry:
Please email us at: info@teammargot.com
Together, saving lives
Team Margot’s mission
To help save and improve lives by educating, inspiring and motivating people, especially from ethnically diverse communities, to register as blood, organ, stem cell and bone marrow donors and to provide a range of support to families caring for child cancer patients.