Why being a committed donor matters

Blood stem cell donation is a vital and life-saving act that can help save the lives of many living with blood cancer and related disorders. Often a blood stem cell donation is the last option to treat these life-threatening conditions. Unfortunately, Strength to Give is seeing a decrease in available and committed blood stem cell donors, making it difficult for patients to find suitable matches and receive the treatment they need.

As a registered blood stem cell donor, your commitment and availability can make a significant difference for someone needing a transplant. The challenge lies in waiting it out, as it can take years to hear if you are a match for a patient in need; sometimes, you may never be matched. It can be a tough ask to be available and committed to something you may never go on to do, but donating your healthy stem cells can give a patient an entirely new immune system, so it’s something that’s worth the wait.

A blood cancer diagnosis starts the clock ticking, and with a blood stem cell transplant being the last treatment option, every day counts. If you are nominated as a potential donor match, please give it thought, decide early on, and let us know, either way, if you are committed to seeing the donation process through. If you say no, there may be another potential match we can contact.

If you have doubts about donating, we want to reassure you that blood stem cell donation is a relatively simple and safe procedure. Most of the time, you can donate your blood stem cells through a process called peripheral blood stem cell donation (PBSC), which involves collecting blood stem cells from the bloodstream.

Only in rare cases will you be asked to donate your bone marrow, which involves a short surgical procedure to collect bone marrow from the hip bone. This procedure is usually requested for paediatric patients. Both procedures are safe and have minimal risk to the donor.

Australia has a unique and genetically diverse population, so it’s vital we have a diverse pool of potential blood stem cell donors. HLA matching is a crucial first step in looking for and determining the likelihood of a successful blood stem cell transplant. The higher the number of HLA markers between the donor and recipient, the better the chances of a successful transplant.

However, even a partial match may be sufficient in some cases, and doctors may also consider other factors, such as age and overall health, when selecting a donor. For every registered donor who commits to donating, the opportunities to find a match increase for a patient.

As a registered donor, you have already made an amazing commitment to donate your blood stem cells and contribute to a brighter future for those in need. We appreciate your generosity and dedication to the cause. However, your commitment also means that you need to keep us updated with your contact details, so we can reach you if you are a match for a patient.

If you’ve changed your mobile phone number or email address recently, let us know by filling out our Update Your Details form. This way, you won’t miss the opportunity to save a life if you are called upon.

Thank you for being a part of Strength to Give. You’re already providing hope to thousands of people living with blood cancer. You never know, one day you might be the one to save a life.