DKMS UK

This #AskAQuestionDay we asked our team members: What do they wish people knew about DKMS? 💡 Are there any questions YOU have for us? Let us know in the comments below... 👇

🤝 We want to connect! 🤝 At DKMS UK, we’re on a mission to give people with blood cancers and disorders a second chance at life. Having been based in the heart of #Chiswick for over ten years, we're keen to connect with the local community about our lifesaving work. Join us on Thursday 20 March, from 5pm to 7pm, at the Chiswick Town Hall for an evening discussing the power of community and how you can help support DKMS' mission. We will be joined by The Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow, Councillor Karen Smith, our Managing Director Peter McCleave and stem cell recipient Lisa Jackson. ✨ Let's work together to create a real impact - we can't wait to see you there!

"I'm trying to spark engagement with challenges like this... all it comes down to is getting people to register with DKMS!" A huge well done to our Managing Director, Peter McCleave, who took the plunge (literally!) with a skydive this weekend, in support of DKMS. 🪂 Peter spoke to #BBC Radio 5 Live about why he took on this amazing challenge to raise funds and awareness for our lifesaving cause. 🎧 Listen to the interview, from 21:70, here: https://lnkd.in/et59zpaP

Happy International Women’s Day! 💪 Today, we’re celebrating the incredible women who power DKMS’ mission - whether you’re a registered donor, volunteer, social media sharer, or fundraiser, YOU are making a lifesaving impact. ❤️ Women are essential in the fight against #bloodcancer, and we couldn’t do it without you! Tag a phenomenal woman in the comments who deserves some love today... 👇 #InternationalWomensDay

We're wishing our Managing Director, Peter McCleave, the best of luck as he takes the leap (literally!) this weekend! 🪂 This incredible challenge is more than just an adrenaline rush; Peter is on a mission to raise vital funds for DKMS, as well as mark an important milestone. Eight years ago, Peter was diagnosed with myeloma and given just seven years to live. Eight years on, he continues to defy the odds. You can still support Peter's challenge here: https://lnkd.in/gnMxuBA5

🚨 PLEASE SHARE: YOU COULD BE MASON’S HERO! 🚨 💔 “It’s not until you are in this situation that you realise how dependent you are on a total stranger,” shares Mason’s mum. 5-year-old Mason has spent most of his life in and out of the hospital after being diagnosed with severe congenital neutropenia at just 2 years old. Now, his condition is worsening — his body is trying to turn his condition into #leukaemia. A stem cell #transplant is his chance at a ‘normal life’. Tragically, Mason doesn’t have a perfect match on the stem cell register and his dual Bajan/ Caribbean, and white European heritage make it much harder to find a match. His mum, Emily-Louise, explains: “You just go into shock – into mummy mode – when your child gets a diagnosis like this. You don’t want to watch your child going through all this. I have to bear-hug him when he has blood tests and other procedures so the medical team can do their job. I’ve done it so many times – it’s horrible but it has to be done. “Mason knows that he needs ‘magic medicine’ and that it will come from someone else. He’s very resilient and just gets on with it – he’s been through so much... He has long hair which he is very attached to, so we’ve told him we’ll be going for some haircuts which will gradually get his hair shorter, to prepare him for the run-up to transplant. “There’s a lot of misinformation about #stemcell donation – I signed up as soon as we got the news about Mason – it isn’t a hard process at all! It's not such a big, invasive operation that people think it is. Even if this appeal for Mason doesn’t find a match for him, it might find a perfect match for another child. All of us parents that find ourselves in this situation, are in it together. “Mason is a very happy, cheeky boy... He loves dance and gymnastics and doing arts and crafts at school. He loves his scooter, supporting #Arsenal, playing dress-up, going out on his scooter and baking. I just want him to have a normal life – this has always been his normal, but all the hospital visits, surgeries, tests, canulations and injections shouldn’t be his normal." Take action today – give hope to Mason and others like him! 📢 Spread the word – like, comment on, and SHARE this post. 👉 Aged 17-55? Sign up now: dkms.org.uk/mason_li #AMatchForMason

“There was never any question if I was going to donate or not – I knew I was going to go ahead.” Meet Catherine from #NorthernIreland – a wife and mum of two who recently made an incredible decision: to give someone a second chance at life by donating her stem cells. ❤️ Catherine registered with DKMS in 2022, after seeing the ‘Do it for Daniel’ campaign on social media. She shares: “When you have a child yourself, your whole perspective changes, so I signed up straight away. “Two years later, when I saw DKMS was trying to contact me, I was a bit shell-shocked. I was definitely overwhelmed to find out I was a match – it was emotional for me. “My brother-in-law had also donated his stem cells, about 10 years ago, so it was great to chat with him about the donation experience – he was able to give more time to a patient by donating his stem cells.” Catherine donated in Edinburgh, at one of DKMS’ stem cell collection centres. She reflects: “We got to enjoy some time in the city – it was nice to go away for a couple of days together! DKMS covered the costs and organised everything for us which was great.” “The donation itself was very straightforward – I’m so scared of needles but it was absolutely fine – the team are so specialised, they know exactly what they’re doing and are so supportive. “You just have to think of that person on the other side – what you go through is nothing compared to their experience. “My family are so proud of me for donating – and people at work have been coming up to me to say well done. I know at least one girl who signed up which is fantastic – I really want to raise awareness about the #stemcell register and let people know how simple it is. “I know my recipient is a woman around a similar age to me – it just made me think: that could have been me on the other end. I just wish her all the best – I hope she can go on to have a normal life.” Join us in celebrating Catherine’s incredible achievement! Are you signed up to the stem cell register too?

At just 7 years old, Finn was diagnosed with CNS isolated HLH, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder where white blood cells attack other blood cells in the body. But thanks to two selfless stem cell donors, Finn received two stem cell transplants — and today, he’s a thriving 13-year-old! 🎉 Motivated by their experience, Finn and his family have been dedicated to adding more lifesavers to the stem cell register, to give hope to other people facing blood cancer and blood disorders. This #RareDiseaseDay, we're recalling Finn’s incredible journey and celebrating the incredible power of stem cell donors. YOU can give hope to people like Finn - register as a stem cell donor today!

At DKMS, our mission is clear: to give every patient with blood cancer or life-threatening blood disorders a second chance at life. We achieve this through three key pillars: 🩸 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🏥 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🔬 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Together, we are building a future where no one is left behind. Whether as a donor, partner, or supporter, you can help make this vision a reality. 🌍 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 and follow us to get frequent updates about our lifesaving work. #DKMSMission #SecondChancesAtLife #BloodCancerAwareness #InnovationInHealth #SavingLives 📸 Julia Steinigeweg

“The wait to see if Amy has a match has been the most torturous thing that we have experienced,” shares Amy’s mum, Sarah. 💔 3-year-old Amy has devastatingly been diagnosed with #aplasticanaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. She desperately needs a stem cell transplant to give her a second chance at life. Amy’s grandad, Mike, recalls: “Amy started developing unexplained, severe bruising – all little ones get bruises but this was really bad… After a second bone marrow biopsy, doctors confirmed that she has severe aplastic anaemia. “Her poor immune system is completely shattered by infections and temperature spikes – she has had sepsis twice, which has wormed its way in through her ear and burst her eardrum and eroded her mastoid bone behind her ear - they have had to fit a grommet to relieve that pain.” Mum, Sarah, continues: “Amy has a way of making anyone smile and feel that deep warmth when they meet her for the first time and then every moment after that… She has always said wants to go see the sea with her family. When she is out of the hospital and has a clean bill of health, nothing will stop us from making this possible for her. “By registering, you would be on the global list to help anyone who might need stem cells… If a life can be saved, no matter the age, to have a second chance is the greatest gift to any family. To have the opportunity to have years of memories is worth more than all the money in the world.” Be a hero for Amy, and others like her: 📢 If you’re aged 17-55, join the stem cell register today: dkms.org.uk/amy_li 📢 Already registered? Share this post and help add more #lifesavers to the register!