Every 3 minutes, someone in India is diagnosed with blood cancer. Their only hope? A matching stem cell donor. That donor could be you.
New Cases Annually
Chance of Match
Need Unrelated Donors
Cost to You
Why finding a donor is like searching for a genetic twin
While blood type matters for transfusions, stem cell donation requires matching Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) - proteins found on most cells in your body. These act as your immune system's identification markers.
HLA markers are inherited from both parents. You have a 25% chance of matching a sibling, but only a 1 in 1 million chance with a stranger.
HLA markers are ethnically linked. Indians have unique genetic profiles, but our representation in global registries is critically low. Only 0.04% of India's population is registered as potential donors.
Your immune system uses HLA markers to distinguish "self" from "foreign." A transplant requires at least a 10/10 match across key HLA genes (A, B, C, DR, DQ). Even a 9/10 match can cause graft rejection or Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD).
10/10 Match
Ideal scenario for transplant success
9/10 Match
Higher risk of complications
<8/10 Match
Usually not viable for transplant
Every registration increases survival odds
Especially for Indian patients who desperately need ethnically matched donors
Understanding the global impact and urgent need
Registered Donors Worldwide
But only 500,000 from India
A New Diagnosis in India
That's 480 people per day
Chance of Finding a Match
A very rare genetic bond
Caucasian Patients
75% find a match
South Asian Patients
Only 30% find a match
Simple, safe, and completely free
Visit dkms-bmst.org/register and fill out a quick form with your basic details. Takes less than 5 minutes.
Your data is encrypted and anonymized
Within 7-10 days, you'll receive a free home swab kit via India Post/courier. No hospital visits needed.
Contents: 3 sterile swabs, instructions, prepaid return envelope
Gently swab the inside of each cheek for 60 seconds. Use all 3 swabs. Do not eat, drink, or smoke 30 minutes before.
Video tutorial available
Click to Load Instructional Video
Watch how to properly collect your sample
Place swabs on the provided drying sheet. Let them air-dry for at least 60 minutes. Do not seal them while damp.
Critical: Moisture degrades DNA. Ensure complete drying.
Seal dried swabs in the biohazard bag and place in the envelope.
Tracking number included for peace of mind
Your HLA profile is added to the global database. You'll be notified only if you're a match for a patient. Until then, simply live your life.
Average wait: Never called OR called within 5-10 years
Let's separate Hollywood fiction from actual science
"It's a painful spinal surgery"
Movies show donors being put under anesthesia with giant needles extracting bone marrow from the spine. Dramatic? Yes. Accurate? Not anymore.
"Recovery takes months"
The old bone marrow harvesting method required hospital stays and weeks of recovery. Modern methods have changed everything.
"Your own health is at risk"
Stem cells regenerate within 4-6 weeks. You won't be "weaker" or lose immunity. Your body produces millions of stem cells daily.
PBSC Method: Like Blood Donation
90% of donations now use Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) collection. You sit in a chair for 4-6 hours while a machine collects stem cells from your bloodstream via an IV - similar to donating platelets.
Pre-donation: You'll receive injections of Filgrastim for 4-5 days to boost stem cell production. Side effects: bone aches (like flu symptoms) that resolve within 2 days post-donation.
Back to Normal in Days
Most donors return to work within 1-2 days. No surgery scars. No long-term effects. Just temporary fatigue and achiness.
Full Medical Coverage
DKMS covers all costs: medical exams, travel, accommodation, lost wages. You pay nothing. Your insurance isn't touched.
In rare cases, doctors may request bone marrow harvesting (the old method) if the patient needs specific cell types. This involves general anesthesia and extracting marrow from the pelvic bone. Recovery is 2-4 weeks with soreness at the extraction site. You can decline this method if you're only comfortable with PBSC.
You'll always be informed of the method before confirming donation
Quick eligibility check - these are safety guidelines, not personal judgments
Age: 18-55 years
You can register until age 55, but you're eligible to donate until age 61
BMI: 18-40
Higher BMI affects anesthesia safety if bone marrow harvesting is needed
Generally Healthy
No chronic conditions that affect blood or immunity
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
You can register, but actual donation must wait until 6 months post-delivery/weaning
Blood-Borne Infections
HIV, Hepatitis B/C, HTLV, syphilis
Autoimmune Diseases
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, Type 1 diabetes
Chronic Lung/Heart Issues
Severe asthma, COPD, heart disease
Active Cancer History
Current cancer or treatment within the past 5 years
IV Drug Use
Risk of undetected blood-borne pathogens
If you're on the fence about a specific condition, register anyway! DKMS will conduct a full health screening if you're ever matched. It's better to be on the registry and potentially excluded later than to never register at all.
Medical guidelines are reviewed case-by-case. Past depression, mild asthma, or controlled hypertension don't automatically disqualify you.
Transparency, credibility, and a 30-year global track record
Founded in Germany (1991), DKMS operates in 7 countries. DKMS-BMST India launched in 2013 as a joint venture with Bangalore Medical Services Trust.
DKMS is the world's largest stem cell donor registry. Over 100,000 transplants facilitated globally. In India: 500,000+ registered donors.
Your HLA data is anonymized with a unique ID. Patients never see your name until after donation (if you both consent). GDPR & Indian data laws compliant.
Everything you need to know before registering
The cheek swab is completely painless - it's like brushing the inside of your mouth. If you're ever called to donate (1 in 1,000 chance), the PBSC method feels like donating platelets: a minor pinch from the IV, then just sitting for a few hours. You may experience bone aches for 1-2 days from the pre-donation injections, but nothing severe. Think flu-like discomfort, not surgery pain.
You pay ₹0. DKMS is funded by donations and grants. The swab kit, lab processing, and shipping are all free. If you're ever matched, the patient's insurance/hospital covers donation-related costs (medical exams, travel, hotel, meals, lost wages). Your personal health insurance is never billed.
Technically, yes. But here's the ethical weight: once a patient's doctors confirm you as "the match," they begin chemotherapy to destroy the patient's existing immune system. This leaves them with zero defenses - they'll die within weeks without your donation. Backing out at that stage is essentially a death sentence for them. DKMS asks you to only register if you're truly committed.
PBSC Method (90% of cases):
Bone Marrow Harvesting (10% of cases):
Yes, 100%. Your bone marrow produces 200 billion new blood cells every day. Donated stem cells (usually 1-5% of your total supply) regenerate within 4-6 weeks. You won't have weaker immunity, lower blood counts, or any permanent loss. It's like donating blood - your body replenishes what was taken.
Yes, but it's rare. If the same patient needs a "boost" donation months later (5-10% of cases), you'd be asked again. You can also be matched with a different patient years later. There's no lifetime limit on donations, but each one requires new health clearance.
Maybe. Most countries enforce a 2-year anonymity period post-donation. After that, if both you and the recipient consent, DKMS can facilitate contact (letters first, then emails/calls). Some donors and recipients become lifelong friends. Others prefer to stay anonymous forever. It's entirely your choice.
You must update your details on the DKMS portal. If they can't reach you when you're matched, they move to the next potential donor - and a patient may miss their only shot at survival.
Yes, as long as they were done with sterile equipment. If you got a tattoo/piercing in the past 12 months from an unlicensed facility, you'll need to wait for blood tests to rule out infections. Recent body modifications from reputable studios are fine.
It depends on the condition being treated:
Register anyway - DKMS doctors review your meds if you're matched.
You'll receive an annual email reminder to update your contact info. Otherwise, DKMS won't spam you - they only reach out if you're matched or if there's a critical registry update.
Never. Your HLA data is only shared with the global WMDA registry (for matching purposes) and treating doctors (if you're matched). DKMS does not sell donor info to pharma companies or research labs without explicit consent.
A Swab. 3 Minutes. You.
5 min
To Register Online
3 swabs
In the Comfort of Home
1 life
You Could Save
Still on the fence? That's understandable. Bookmark this page. Share it with a friend. Sleep on it. But remember: every day you wait, someone with your genetic match might be running out of time.
The average wait time for a matching donor in India is 60-90 days. For some patients, that's longer than they have. You can't predict when a stranger halfway across the country will need your unique HLA profile. But you can be ready when that moment comes.