It Doesn’t
Hurt to
Save a Life
How Donation Really Works.
It Doesn’t
Hurt to
Save a Life
How Donation Really Works.



If your tissue type matches with someone you can help, you’ll either donate blood stem cells or bone marrow.

90% of the time donations are blood stem cell donations which are just like giving blood, except it’s done in hospitals in major cities around Australia as an outpatient procedure.

10% of donors are asked to donate bone marrow and usually it is for a child. Bone marrow is taken from the back of your hip in a short procedure performed under general anaesthetic, so you won’t feel a thing!

THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO DONATE


Age isn’t just a number

When it comes to bone marrow and blood stem cell donations, physicians prefer donors 18 to 35 years old because research shows that patients do better with younger donors. Gender is also important as physicians tend to select males over females to avoid logistical issues that may arise if a donor is pregnant or breastfeeding. Males are often larger than females and are able to donate more stem cells which is also better for patients.
If you want to see the stats to back it up, click here

The Background on Blood Cancer

Unfortunately, blood cancer can strike any one of us at any time.

Transplant is also used to treat patients with certain immune system and genetic disorders.
Our UK equivalent registry, Anthony Nolan, have put together some great videos explaining blood cancers and blood disorders. Have a look to learn more:

Tasmanian artist and recovered blood patient Tony Thorpe has created a story about his experience during and after his blood stem cell transplant recipient journey