Joining the Registry Want to be a part of a worldwide life-saving club, providing someone with a happy ending?Stem cell transplants save lives, and are only possible when a suitable donor is found. This sounds easy, but it is not. For a transplant to be successful, the tissue characteristics between donor and patient must be almost a 100% match.Less than 30% of patients who are in need of a transplant can find a match through a relative. That's where you come in.There are two ways to register as a potential donor. First, check that you meet the eligibility requirements. Next, you can either choose to attend a DKMS Donor Drive where we will take a simple blood test, or you can request that a typing kit be sent to you by mail. Simply email us at [email protected] or call 1-866-340-DKMS (3567) and we'll send a kit and registration information out to you.When you become a DKMS donor, you become a member of the family. Donors are issued donor cards and are contacted annually. Mailings remind donors that they are in the database, keep contact information up-to-date and inform donors of recent developments. A letter is also sent every time further typing from a stored blood sample is performed, so the donor is aware.Note: All donors who register with DKMS Americas also become part of the WMDA (World Marrow Donor Association) and the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program). Sponsorship If you are unable to become a donor, you can still help us deliver dreams.Donor registrations and searches for patients are costly and maintaining our database is too. Some donors can pay for their own registration, but others cannot. Sponsors can help cover these costs.If you cannot donate yourself, won't you consider covering the cost of someone you know as a gift? For example, a father may pay for his son to register with DKMS.Every little bit counts. You could be the missing piece in giving someone a more hopeful future.Spread the Word We find most of our donors through recommendations. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Use it.Spread the word to family, friends and coworkers.Fighting for a cause is one of the best ways to bring groups of people together as one.Be one
Testimonials
See what patients, family and friends have to say about their experience.
"You all have been wonderfully suportive and your organization is heads and shoulders above the rest. Thank you for everything you have done. Thank you for your generosity and support" The Dole Family
"We've heard from a number of people that they had trouble getting testing kits from the other donor centers and then contacted your organization and got the kits immediately, no fuss. So you are doing a great job of getting the materials where they are needed without the bereaucratic difficulties." Fred Cross
"I know that I will be a match for someone-that I will save a life" Lenny McKnight, DKMS Americas' First Donor in the United States
"I wanted to write and tell you how much we appreciated DKMS being there for the drive at the Calhoun School to help Sam. You representative, Ellie, is like an angel. SHe is personable, warm, knowledgeable....someone to feel proud of having in your organization. Thank you so much for being there for our family."- Beth Kim
"My feelings of hope for the recipient and his family made my experience well worthwhile. I would not hesitate to undergo this procedure again." Laura Klein, DKMS Americas' second donor in the United States and the first Female Donor is the US
"When my mother was diagnosed with leukemia and we couldn't find a donor, my father started DKMS to help save the lives of others." Katharina Harf, DKMS Americas Executive Vice President
"What if it was you or your child who needed a match, you'd hope someone would be out there that could save a life. The whole reason I became a donor was because someone made me aware on Myspace of a little boy who needed a marrow transplant. From his page I found DKMS, and after going to a DKMS blood drive a couple of months ago, I got a call from Nicole yesterday saying that I might be a possible match for someone. It was like fate, because I was really bummed reading your postings the other day about a couple of people who died waiting for their match, and now a couple of days later I'm excited that I might be able to save a life. I'm going for my follow-up blood test on thursday, and crossing my fingers that I end up being able to help this person in need. This is proof for all people who haven't gone to a donor drive yet, that there is a real possibility that every single one of us could make a difference." James, currently in the Confirmatory Testing Stage of doing a Stem Cell Donation