The first step to joining the register is filling in a form and then doing a cheeky swab. If you apply online we can send you a swab pack in the post, or you can come along to one of our recruitment events in your local area. You then stay on the register until you’re 61, and we’ll be in touch if you’re ever a potentially lifesaving match for someone.

If you have any questions further questions please email donor.support@anthonynolan.org

To join our register, you have to be between 16 and 30 and in good health. You’ll stay on our register until you’re 61.

You need to be fully committed to donating your blood stem cells or bone marrow if you come up as a match.

Since the launch of our register in 1974, we have made over 20,000 stem cell transplants possible.

However, even with over half a million people on the register, we urgently need to increase the size and diversity of potential donors. One day, we hope to help everyone who needs a lifesaving transplant.

People aged 16–30 can join our register. Each time someone needs a donor, we look through our database for a match.

We have over 800,000 people on the register at the moment.

A stem cell transplant can cure or improve the outcome for someone with blood cancer or blood disorder. In short, it can save their life.

When a person has a blood cancer or blood disorder, their blood cells have stopped working in their normal way. That means they can’t do vital things like fight infection or carry oxygen.

A transplant of blood stem cells from a healthy person can replace and repair these damaged cells – and hopefully cure their disease.

Blood stem cells are new, primitive blood cells made in the bone marrow, found in the centre of our large bones.

• You can find out more about how transplants work in The Science Behind Our Work section

We carefully invest in our work to maximise the benefit for our patients. This includes growing the stem cell register with the best possible donors, as well as funding and providing specialised services to support patients throughout their transplant journey. Read more about where your money goes here.

We also conduct pioneering research into the treatment of blood cancers and disorders and improving the effectiveness of stem cell transplants.

Yes, we’re an independent charity. We rely on financial support from people and companies.

Our charity number is 803716 in England and Wales and 38827 in Scotland.

• If you’re aged 16–30, join our register, and become a potential lifesaver
• Give money or raise money to help fund our vital work from adding new donors to the register to enabling further research.
• Volunteer your time to help raise awareness, support patients and donors, or even deliver the lifesaving cells

Give money or raise money

Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. We’re saving lives right now. Three lives a day, in fact.

By growing the stem cell register, carrying out ground breaking research and providing the best post-transplant care, we’re giving families a future.

But we can’t do it without you. Without you, there is no cure.