In Australia today, one person every 27 minutes will be told they have blood cancer (53 people per day). For many of these patients, a stem cell transplant from a complete stranger is their only hope.

Some Australian patients are waiting for a suitable donor match for over a year, which can compromise their chances of beating a deadly disease like blood cancer.

On Saturday, 16 September, the world observed World Marrow Donor Day. At this moment, over 1,000 Australians are in dire need of a life-saving bone marrow donor match. However, Australia's donor pool is falling short of meeting these critical local patient needs. Joining forces, the Leukaemia Foundation and Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) are rallying Aussies to take a simple yet profoundly impactful action: become a bone marrow donor today.

In 2023, an estimated 19,500 Australians will receive a diagnosis of blood cancer. Shockingly, approximately 3,900 of these patients require the perfect donor match for their treatment and recovery.

Chris Tanti, CEO of the Leukaemia Foundation, emphasises the critical role of stem cell transplants in blood cancer treatment, stating, “In order for blood cancer patients to survive their diagnosis, around 20% of them will need to consider a stem cell transplant.”

This treatment becomes their only option, and without it, their condition worsens.' 

Lisa Smith, CEO of ABMDR, underlines the pressing need for more Australian donors, saying, “Australia is experiencing one of the highest rates of performing blood stem cell transplants compared with the rest of the world.” 

She indicates that Australia's reliance on overseas donors has grown, with 8 out of 10 patients now depending on foreign donors.

Some Australian patients endure excruciating waits for suitable donor matches, sometimes over a year, compromising their chances of recovery. The chances of finding a donor match increase significantly when donors share a similar cultural background. With Australia's diverse population, there is an urgent requirement for more bone marrow donors from all cultural backgrounds to broaden the donor pool, offering every blood cancer patient the best possible chance at recovery.

“When a blood cancer patient is confirmed as needing a transplant, they generally need it urgently,” said Mr Tanti.

On this World Marrow Donor Day, you can become a hero by signing up to become a bone marrow donor at Strength to Give – strengthtogive.org.au. If you are living with blood cancer, undergoing treatment, or caring for someone affected, please reach out to Australia's blood cancer support line for invaluable information on stem cell transplants and becoming a donor. Call 1800 620 420 or visit bloodcancer.org.au."

ABMDR’s Strength to Give initiative has proved to be an easy, cost-effective way to recruit Australian donors through cheek swabs with a simple message from their CEO.

“If you are 18 to 35, we encourage you to register, swab your cheek and help us save a life,” Ms Smith said.