Become a donor

Go to your country’s stem cell donor bank website. Answer a few questions, then wait for your swabbing kit to arrive in the mail, or for them to arrange a blood draw (the testing method will be indicated online).

If you receive a swabbing kit, simply swab your cheek and return the sample for free. If you need to give a blood sample, your donor bank will arrange it for you. Your results will then be entered into an international database.

Being a match means you’re the only one who can save your fellow human. Now begins the exciting process of donating your stem cells to your special match. You’ll submit to a few routine tests to determine your compatibility and your general health.

There are two ways to give:

a) Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donation (most common everywhere)

This involves over-stimulating your stem cell production for a few days with the help of medicine, then drawing your blood through one arm. The blood is filtered by a machine that separates the new stem cells from the rest. The remaining blood is returned through the other arm. You lose nothing.

b) Bone Marrow Donation (done in 10% to 20 % of cases)

This surgical procedure involves drawing liquid marrow your hip bone. Anaesthesia is always used for this procedure, so you won’t feel a thing. This procedure is preferred when patients are small, cute, tiny children. So hop into that sexy hospital gown.

24 to 36 hours after your donation, your healthy cells will be given to someone you might not know, but who will be your cellmate (get it?) for life.