More women in the UK will now have the opportunity to become lifesaving stem cell donors following a recent rule change. The decision aims to expand the pool of potential donors on the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry, increasing the chances of finding a match for those requiring critical treatment. Health officials are keen to cut down on imported stem cell donations, which can cost 50%-100% more than locally collected donations.
Until now, only men aged 17 to 40 or women aged 17 to 40 of Asian, black, or mixed ethnicity could join the registry. However, the new amendment, effective from Monday, now allows white women aged 17 to 40 to also become donors, reinstating eligibility for 18-40-year-old white women that was previously halted in 2016. Individuals remain on the registry until their 61st birthday.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) highlighted the change as a response to growing evidence indicating that younger donors are associated with better transplant outcomes. Sarah Caddick, a 33-year-old finance administrator, who donated her stem cells in 2024, expressed her delight at the news. After losing a friend to leukaemia in her youth, Sarah joined the NHS Blood and Transplant British bone marrow register and eventually became a match for someone in need.
According to NHSBT, about 30,000 new registrations are required annually on the registry. Currently, the average age of registered donors is nearly 44, despite 72% of donations being sourced from individuals under 40 due to the higher success rate of transplant. Frank Goodman, who received a stem cell transplant eight years ago, emphasized the vital role of donors in saving lives.
Head of stem cell donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, Guy Parkes, urged individuals under 40, regardless of gender, to consider signing up. The process of registering as a potential stem cell donor is straightforward, with donation being safe and easy when a match is found. Parkes highlighted the ongoing need for more stem cell donors and encouraged eligible individuals to consider becoming donors to potentially save a life.
For more information on how to register and the donation process, visit www.blood.co.uk/stemcells.