Become a donor

If you receive a message from us indicating that you are a potential match, we will inform you about the next steps in detail. Below, we give you an overview of the stem cell donation process.

Health check and confirmatory typing (CT)

You will receive a detailed health questionnaire in order to detect any exclusion criteria – which might mean you are unable to donate your stem cells. This is followed by confirmatory typing, in which a blood sample is analyzed to confirm your tissue type.
Your blood sample is also tested for infectious agents (such as HIV or hepatitis viruses) and other factors. These results are used to determine whether you are a suitable match. From this point on, a personal contact at DKMS will be there to answer any questions you might have about stem cell donation.

Your decision to become a lifesaver

Various factors, including the health of the patient, determine whether you will be asked to donate your stem cells. If you are chosen, you should make a final decision regarding your commitment to the patient. After a final health check and consultation at the collection center, you will be asked to sign a consent form for the stem cell donation.
The collection method (peripheral stem cell collection or bone marrow donation) is determined by the treating doctor and is dependent on both your health and the health of the patient. All expenses will be covered and DKMS is there to help every step of the way.
Approximately one week before your donation appointment, the patient will begin chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy, in order to prepare their body for the stem cell donation. At this point in time, withdrawing from the donation procedure would have life-threatening consequences for the patient.

The donor will receive injections of a naturally occurring growth hormone (G-CSF) for five consecutive days prior to the collection, in order to stimulate the production of stem cells in the blood. The process is a non-surgical outpatient procedure which usually takes around four hours and can be spread over two days. The donor can usually return to work within one or two days.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection has been used in medicine since 1988 and was further developed by DKMS for use in stem cell donation since 1996. Donors may experience flu-like symptoms from the injections of the growth hormone (G-CSF), but these should subside within a few days and there are no known long-term side effects from either the donation procedure or the injections.

General anaesthetic is used for this method, in which a needle is inserted in the skin over the pelvic bone, in order to remove approximately one litre of liquid marrow containing blood stem cells. The process itself takes around one hour and a two night stay in hospital, meaning the donor can usually return to work within one week.
With bone marrow collection, any risks are associated to the general anaesthetic rather than the collection itself. Donors may experience local pain from the procedure, but usually fully recover within one week with no long-term side effects. Furthermore, donors undergo a full health test before donation, to ensure they are healthy and able to donate.