You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register

You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register

You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register

You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register

You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register

You have the

Strength
to give

Let’s Swab to Save a Life

Register
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER
BEING A DONOR
Every 40 minutes someone in Australia is diagnosed with blood cancer, and for many a blood stem cell transplant from a complete stranger is their only hope.

Younger donors result in better outcomes for patients, so we urgently need 18-30 year olds to register and increase their chances of finding the best possible match.

Ethnic diversity is also important as patients are more likely to find a match with a donor from the same ethnic background.

Young men make particularly important donors – as they often weigh more, they literally have more to give.

30% of patients find a match within their family
70% need to find an unrelated donor through the Australian Donor Registry
Only 4% of donors on the registry are males aged 18-30
We search registries around the world to find the best match for Australian patients. Sadly many countries don’t have registries and Australians from these backgrounds can struggle to find a donor.
80% of Australian patients receive a donation from an overseas donor.
We need people like you, with the Strength to Give.

Our Stories

The level of emotion and pride I felt surprised me. I didn't expect to feel so strongly. A few hours involved in the donation process equated to saving someone’s life. If I needed a match, I could only imagine being told the news that someone out there was going to save my life.

Ben – Donor

I've always wanted to help other people in any way I can. I'm currently an organ donor, but being in a same-sex relationship has restricted me from giving blood. I was thrilled to learn that your sexuality makes zero difference to whether you can be a blood stem cell donor or not. I couldn't believe it when I got the call from the Registry letting me know that I am someone's match. I felt so lucky that I could be giving another person such a gift. I immediately said "YES!” To anyone thinking about registering, I say do it! The donation process is super easy, just like giving blood. I had no hesitation, and I have zero regrets.

What have you got to lose? It's so easy to do the initial screening to get you on the database. Registering can result in YOU saving someone’s life- how amazing is that!

Jordan – Donor

So there we go! I’ve officially donated my blood stem cells! What an absolutely amazing, pain free experience that I’ve had! feel absolutely fine, and everything went smoothly as planned- and now my stem cells are all off to my recipient! Couple of days of recovery now, and hopefully should be my normal self! To anyone thinking about joining the registry, DO IT!!!

When I think about it now I know I was in a wonderfully privileged position to help the recipient, and I wholeheartedly hope they are well.

Jack – Donor

When the registry called and said I had been matched I felt like I had a unique opportunity to really help someone in need. It’s not often you get that sort of call. The recipient didn’t need just anyone’s cells but specifically my cells because these had the best chance of success. I think this appeals to the little bit of vanity in all of us – almost as if donors have special powers in a time of need. But it also meant I was 100% committed to making the donation and I did not begrudge the minor aches and pains that came with it.

It feels absolutely amazing to know that doing this will change someone’s life. When you think about saving a life, it’s not just their life that’s important – it’s their friends and family too, everyone who’s part of that person’s life. You might be saving one person but you’re having an impact on a whole family and community, so it feels amazing.

Doug – Donor

I think there’s this idea that a lot of people have that donating will hurt. I didn’t find any of it painful at all. I thought I’d have to go under local anaesthetic but it was just like giving blood or getting an injection before you go on holiday. And to be honest, even if it was painful, I think a little bit of pain is okay when you’ve got the chance to save someone’s life.

Her family will be forever grateful to the donor who helped her survive cancer before she was even able to walk.

Charlotte – Patient

Charlotte was nine months old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. Her treatment included a life-saving stem cell transplant. Charlotte is in remission and wants to be either a doctor or ballet teacher when she grows up.

Right Now in Australia…

15,000

newly diagnosed annually (or >40 per day).

UP TO 7,500

people lose their lives every year, making blood cancer one of the biggest causes of cancer death.

OVER 110,000

people of all ages are living with a blood cancer today.
Source: State of the Nation: Blood Cancer in Australia report, Leukaemia Foundation (2019)
Know what’s involved with being a donor
FIND OUT MORE
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Thanks for checking us out!

Did you know that two of the most common cancers that affect young people can be treated with blood stem cell transplants, and men are more likely to die from leukaemia than women? Yet only 4% of our donors are young men! Can you help us sign them up? Start a conversation with the young men you know about how easy it is to donate; and they may end up saving the life of someone just like them.

And remember, as long as they’re young and healthy, all can join - gay, straight, queer, whatever!