NHS stem cell registry calls for greater diversity among potential donors
The NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry is urging more people from Black, Asian and mixed heritage backgrounds to sign up during Stem Cell Awareness Week. A London donor described joining after a blood donation and later donating stem cells through a blood collection process rather than bone marrow surgery. Registry data show about 12 percent of its more than 400,000 potential donors come from these communities, though nearly 5,000 joined in 2025/26.
The registry is highlighting Stem Cell Awareness Week, which started on 12 October, to encourage sign-ups from Black, Asian and mixed-heritage groups. It says patients have a better chance of finding a compatible donor when ethnicity is similar.
Londoner Alfred Mureithi signed up after giving blood, was matched quickly and donated this year. He had assumed bone marrow surgery was usual, but learned most collections use circulating blood. His donation required pre-treatment injections and a multi-hour collection. Around 12% of the registry's 400,000-plus potential donors are from these communities; almost 5,000 joined in 2025/26, a 5% rise. Eligible blood, platelet or plasma donors aged 17–40 can register at appointments.
Greater registration from underrepresented groups could improve chances that patients from these communities find compatible donors, potentially reducing waits and inequities in access to transplant. It may also prompt more conversations about donation among younger eligible blood, platelet and plasma donors. However, impact depends on sustained sign-ups and actual donation, not registration alone.