Stem cell and bone marrow transplants
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Anthony Nolan runs one of the largest bone marrow donor databases in the world. It has regional centres which are listed on its website. It also provides information about being a stem cell or bone marrow donor.
It is looking for people in good health aged 16–30 to join the stem cell register. In particular, they need more people from minority ethnic communities to sign up.
General enquiries: 0303 303 0303, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Email: patientinfo@anthonynolan.org
Learn more at the Anthony Nolan website
Blood Cancer UK funds research, provides information and support to those affected by blood cancer. They publish information booklets and you can also connect and share experiences with other people dealing with blood cancer.
Support line: 0808 2080 888
Support line opening hours are:
10 am to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
10 am to 7pm on Tuesday
10 am to 1 pm on Saturdays and bank holidays
Email address: support@bloodcancer.org.uk
Find out more on the Blood Cancer UK website
DKMS used to be called Delete Blood Cancer. It aims to provide a matching donor for every blood cancer patient in need of a blood stem cell donation. It has offices in the UK, Germany, Chile, Poland, India, Africa and the United States.
People between the ages of 18 to 55 and are in general good health can join the register.
General enquiries email: info@dkms.org.uk
General enquiries phone: 020 8747 5620, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Patient and family enquiries email: patients@dkms.org.uk
Leukaemia Care is a national blood cancer support charity, committed to ensuring that anyone affected by blood cancer receives the right information, advice and support.
It provides a range of support services to patients and their carers, including information, support groups, patient and carer conferences, and buddy support. The buddy support service is available if you want to chat to someone who has had a similar experience.
Freephone helpline: 08088 010 444, open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm
Chat via WhatsApp on 07500068065
Lymphoma Action provides information and support for people affected by lymphoma. They provide a helpline service. They also offer online support meetings and a buddy service for putting patients in touch with each other. They run educational events and webinars.
They have a website which includes a database of lymphoma clinical trials.
Telephone for support or information: 0808 808 5555 (10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday) Telephone for general enquires: 01296 619 400 Email: information@lymphoma-action.org.uk
Find out more at the Lymphoma Action website
Myeloma UK is dedicated to funding research, providing information and supporting those with myeloma. They produce booklets and videos. Booklets are available on their website, or they will send you an information pack. They can provide a list of myeloma support groups in the UK. They have an online discussion forum and myeloma TV.
Helpline: 0800 980 3332 (Freephone Mon to Fri, 9.00am to 5.00pm) Email: askthenurse@myeloma.org.uk
Find out more on the Myeloma UK website
The NHS Blood and Transplant service runs the blood donation scheme and organises the supply of blood products. They also run the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. This was previously called the British Bone Marrow Register (BBMR). They help find people stem cell matches.
Telephone: 0300 123 23 23
Find out about the NHS Stem Cell Registry and how to become a donor
This page is due for review. We will update this as soon as possible.
Last reviewed: 18 Nov 2022
Next review due: 18 Nov 2025
Stem cell or bone marrow transplants are treatments for some types of cancer including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. You have them with high dose chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy.
Treatments can include surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted cancer drugs). Find out about treatments and how to cope with side effects.
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