Could you be the match to save my Mum? A simple cheek swab test could save a life.
My mum — a beautiful, strong, and loving woman — is still searching for a donor after her original match disappeared.
Gea's Journey A call for hope, help, and a second chance at life
Seven months ago, Gea was diagnosed with MDS, a rare form of blood cancer that will eventually progress into Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. While she has been incredibly lucky so far, the only path forward is a stem cell transplant from a matching donor.
Recipe for becoming a life saver
You could be the difference. Register today and you can save a life.
Why is this Important? Australia’s Stem Cell Donation Landscape
Australia is currently facing a significant shortage of registered stem cell donors, which has profound implications for patients with life-threatening conditions like blood cancers.
Australia’s Stem Cell Donation Landscape
High Dependence on International Donors
Approximately 80% of Australian patients requiring stem cell transplants rely on overseas donors due to the limited number of local matches.
Registry Size
As of late 2024, the Australian stem cell donor registry comprises over 160,000 registered donors.
Need for Younger Donors
There’s a pressing need for more donors aged 18–35, as younger donors are associated with better transplant outcomes.
Diverse Representation
Ensuring the registry reflects Australia’s multicultural population is crucial, as patients are more likely to find compatible matches within their own ethnic groups.
What is MDS?
MDS, or Myelodysplastic Syndrome, is a rare condition that affects the bone marrow — the part of the body that produces blood cells. In someone with MDS, the bone marrow doesn’t work properly, which means it struggles to produce enough healthy red cells, white cells, or platelets. This can lead to fatigue, frequent infections, or easy bruising.
How it Can Progress
For some people, MDS stays stable for many years. But in others, like in Gea’s case, it’s considered high-risk — which means there’s a greater chance that it will develop into something more serious called Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).
AML is a fast-moving form of blood cancer. When MDS turns into AML, the bone marrow begins making large numbers of abnormal white cells very quickly, crowding out healthy ones. This makes treatment more urgent and complex.
Why Stem Cell Donation Matters
For people with high-risk MDS or AML, a stem cell transplant — where healthy cells from a donor replace the faulty ones — is often the best and only hope for a cure. That’s why finding a matching donor is so important, and why raising awareness and encouraging people to join the donor registry can truly save lives.