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

We are looking for:

  • male blood donors who are between 17 and 40 years old
  • female blood donors who are aged between 17 and 40 and of Black, Asian or mixed heritage

We use these criteria to target donors we are short of on the register. 

Stem cell donor and staff looking at camera and smiling

How to join

New to blood donation?

You need to be a blood donor to join the register.

Sign up to become a blood donor and join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry at your first appointment by asking a member of our team.

Sign up to become a blood donor

Donated blood before?

Simply tell staff at your next blood donation appointment that you would like to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry.

Book an appointment

 

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