On World Marrow Donor Day 2019 (21 September) the Leukaemia Foundation joined forces with the Australian Donor Registry to raise awareness of the importance of stem cell donors and to encourage Aussies to help others by ‘swabbing a cheek to save a life’.

Donors help conquer blood cancer

Every day 41 Australians are diagnosed with blood cancer and each year more than 600 people living with blood cancer will need an allogeneic stem cell transplant to survive. Almost 70 per cent of those in need of a transplant will rely on a complete stranger to donate their cells through the Registry to be able to conquer their blood cancer.

The Registry is currently unable to meet the needs of Australian patients, which means most of them must look for an overseas donor to be able to receive their vital treatment. In some cases, patients who have indigenous heritage or are from communities not well represented in international registries, a suitable donor cannot be found.

You have the Strength to Give

The Australian Donor Registry has launched Strength to Give, to encourage 5,000 young men aged 18-30 from a diverse group of ethnic backgrounds to register to be a stem cell donor. Younger male donors result in better outcomes for patients and increase their chances of finding the best possible match.

It all starts with a swab

Becoming a donor is easy, just register your details at strengthtogive.org.au and a swab test will be sent to you. Once this is returned, you’ll be placed on the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. How easy is that!