The British Bone Marrow Registry

The British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) helps people find stem cell matches.

We are part of NHS Blood and Transplant and recruit potential donors from our dedicated blood donors.

We work in co-operation with the UK’s other bone marrow and blood donor registries, the charity Anthony Nolan and the NHS Cord Blood Bank.

We are also part of an international network that helps find matches for people across the world.

What is bone marrow?

Bone marrow is a remarkable factory. It's the soft, spongy tissue found at the centre of certain bones in your body where blood stem cells live. Blood stem cells produce all your essential blood cells, such as red blood cells to carry oxygen and white blood cells to fight infection.

Who needs bone marrow transplants?

There are some diseases, such as some forms of leukaemia, which stop the factory from working properly. For many such patients, the best hope of a cure is receiving a stem cell transplant.

Find out more about what it means to join the British Bone Marrow Registry by reading our British Bone Marrow Registry recruitment leaflet (PDF 541KB)