Stem cells


Donate the building blocks of life

Stem cells are amazing

They can grow into any other cell in your body. This means they can be used to treat a wide range of blood cancers and disorders.

For some people, a stem cell transplant (also known as a bone marrow transplant) is the only hope of survival. But matching donors and patients isn’t easy.

Between 65-75% of those in need are unable to find a sibling match so rely on the generosity of strangers.

We work with a global network of international registries, which collectively have over 28 million potential donors, to make this possible. Our donors help save hundreds of lives in the UK and overseas every year.

Why we need more donors

Each year more than 400 UK patients can’t have this potentially lifesaving treatment because they lack a suitable donor.

Our goal is to increase the number of donors available to patients – especially for those unable to find a family match.

Discover what we're doing to help

Bone Marrow Registry

We manage the British Bone Marrow Registry and work with other UK stem cell registries to form part of Anthony Nolan and the NHS Stem Cell Registry. This provides a single point of access for UK transplant centres.

Internationally, the British Bone Marrow Registry provides stem cell donations from its donors and cord blood bank to other countries through Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide and the World Marrow Donor Association.

Go to the Bone Marrow Registry

What is cord blood?

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the placenta and umbilical cord following the birth of your baby.

It is rich in blood stem cells, similar to those found in bone marrow, and these can be used to treat many different cancers, immune deficiencies and genetic disorders.

What Is Cord Blood?

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