An urgent appeal was made in the UK Parliament for more young people to join the stem cell donor register because for many patients with blood cancers or rare blood disorders, finding a match is literally a matter of life and death.

Labour MP Clive Betts highlighted the critical shortage of young stem cell donors during a Commons debate on the new national cancer plan. He urged the Government to expand efforts with organisations like Anthony Nolan to recruit more donors aged 16-30, the age group most likely to significantly improve patients’ survival chances.

Why Young Donors Matter

• Research shows that younger donors offer better survival rates for patients who need stem cell transplants.
• Previous reports have shown young people under 30 historically make up roughly a quarter of the registry, with younger men under 30 specifically far lower at around 12 % in earlier years.

How Donation Works

• Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) collection – the most common method; involves a few days of injections followed by a collection session similar to a long blood donation.
• Bone marrow donation – a less common procedure done under general anaesthetic with a short hospital stay.

Real Impact

Joining the register doesn’t mean you will definitely donate, most people are never called but by signing up, you could be the perfect match for someone in urgent need. giving them a second chance at life and helping change the low numbers of young donors to bring hope to countless patients.