Time to confess...
Lost your keycard? Missed a lecture? Had the worst hangover of your life? We know there's a lot going on at the start of uni - and some things you'd rather forget. But there's something you can do that would be genuinely unforgettable. Join the stem cell register. Trust us, you've done worse - and it might just save a life.
What do I need to know?
- Joining the register is quick, free and easy.
- You need to be aged between 16-30.
- You’ll stay on the register until you turn 61.
- Most people never come up as a match. Those that do could be lifesavers
- There are two ways you could be asked to donate - PBSC and bone marrow donation. Find out more below in 'What happens if I am called up to donate.'
If you’re a match and go on to donate, we’ll arrange a date that suits you and organise absolutely everything. There are donation centres in NHS and private hospitals in Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Oxford and London, so we’ll make sure you’re booked in somewhere convenient for you.
We’ll also book and pay for hotels, travel, and any reasonable expenses for you and a companion. You may have to take time off work for your donation and while you recover. If you can’t take paid leave then we’ll cover any loss of earnings.
Once in hospital, your donation will be collected in one of two ways - either through your bloodstream or from your bone marrow. 90% of people donate the first way, in a process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, which uses a special machine to filter out stem cells from your bloodstream. You’ll receive a course of injections for a few days first, then go into hospital for the collection, which usually takes around 4-5 hours.
10% of people donate through a bone marrow donation. The cells are collected from your hip bone. You’re placed under a general anaesthetic throughout. This means you will be unconscious and won’t feel any pain. You’ll stay in hospital for two nights.
Donors should be open to considering both methods of donation but do not have to agree to donate via both methods. The options of donation will be discussed with you if chosen as a potential match.
Both procedures are carried out thousands of times every year and are very safe.
Your donation will be completely anonymous. Once it’s done, your amazing, unique, lifesaving cells could go to help someone anywhere in the world!
Once you have donated, our lovely Donor Follow-Up team will check in with you to make sure you’re doing OK. Most donors will feel some side-effects due to their donation - some aches and pains and general tiredness - but they’re usually mild and get better with painkillers and rest.
We also keep in touch with our donors for the next 10 years to make sure you’re doing well. Depending on the rules in different countries, our Donor Follow-Up team might be able to help you make contact with your recipient if you wanted to – this would be anonymous for the first two years.
Ready to make a difference?
As a medical student I have a very busy schedule but Anthony Nolan were able to work around it and make the process really easy for me!
Josh, 22.
If someone was considering joining the register I’d say go for it! There is nothing to lose and you could save someone’s life.
Did you know?
Anthony Nolan gives four people another chance to live every day. And 80 percent of our donors are under 30, with students making up the biggest number of lifesavers.
Want to make your uni experience lifesaving?
Marrow is a network of student societies saving lives through stem cells. Join Marrow and be part of a student community doing something seriously meaningful.