Resources

LGBTQ people are eligible to register as stem cell donors and donate to a patient in need (there is no deferral period based on recent sexual contact).

However, we conducted focus groups with LGBTQ people and found that the majority are not aware of this.

Hear from Dr. Arjun Law, Transplant Physician

The Need for Stem Cell Donors

Thousands of patients are searching for a matched unrelated donor at any given time, and many will not find one anywhere in the world.
Patients from underserved racial/ethnic populations have even lower chances of finding a match. Patients are more likely to find a match from within their own ancestral group, but many populations are still underrepresented as donors worldwide.

More lifesaving donors from a diversity of racial/ethnic backgrounds are needed.

The Need for Stem Cell Donors

Many people live well with HIV, in excellent health on HIV treatment and with an undetectable viral load in their blood. However, these people cannot donate because:
- It is not known if undetectable HIV viral load in the blood also means undetectable and untransmissable viral load in the bone marrow/stem cells.
- Patients undergoing stem cell transplantation are immunocompromised and would be at much higher risk of HIV complications than other people.

Watch Video from
Dr. David Allan, Transplant Physician

Real Stories, Real Impact

Hear from donors and recipients whose lives have been changed through inclusive donation. Their journeys inspire hope and highlight the power of giving.

Hear from Joel, stem cell recipient

Meet Joel, who shares his journey from diagnosis with blood cancer through to stem cell transplantation and recovery.

Hear from Susan, stem cell recipient

Hear from Susan whose life was saved by William, an LGBTQ stem cell donor. Susan went on to meet William and his husband years later and spoke with us in a podcast.