Matching

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is told they have a blood cancer such as leukaemia. For many, a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant is their only chance.

They need cells from a healthy person – with the same tissue type – to replace and repair their own damaged cells.

About 30% of people in need can find a suitable donor in their family. But the other 70% rely on a stranger to save their lives.

Anthony Nolan helps that 70% find those precious matches.

We have over 500,000 adults on our register; we're constantly working to increase that number. Every time someone comes to us in need of a transplant, we check our register for a match. And we make more than 1,000 matches every year.

Aged 16-30? Find out more about joining our register.

Another, newer source of lifesaving stem cells is the blood from umbilical cords and placentas. Our cord blood bank, set up in 2008, collects cord blood after births (with zero risk to mothers and babies) at four hospitals in London, Manchester and Leicester. We store the blood and check to see if it is a match for anyone in need. 

Find out more about donating cord blood.

Find out what else you can do to support Anthony Nolan’s lifesaving work.