Joining the register

Already a blood donor? You can join the register when you next give blood.

Your tissue type will then go onto a national database and we'll contact you if you're a match for a patient who needs stem cells.

Who can register

To join the register you will need to be:

  • aged between 17 and 40 years old
  • a blood donor

Check you can join

Take our quiz to see if you're able to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry.

Results:
Estimate
Estimate
Stem cell donor and staff looking at camera and smiling

Other important information

What happens next

Once you've told our staff you want to join the register, we'll:

  • check there is no medical reason preventing you from being both a blood donor and a stem cell donor
  • take an extra blood sample during your donation

We keep your tissue type on our confidential digital register.

This information will then be used to find a potential match for people needing treatment in the future.

It is rare to be found as a match – the overwhelming majority of donors will never be contacted.

So if you do get the call, consider yourself lucky as you may get the chance to save someone's life.

Next steps if you're a match

Discover what happens next if you're found as a potential match for a patient

Next steps