Your are registered

Behind the scenes, your cheek swab is analysed at DKMS Life Science Lab; the world's leading HLA (human leukocyte antigens) typing laboratory to determine your tissue type. This is not the same as your blood group. Instead, it looks at specific genetic markers known as HLA that are used to match donors and patients.

Once your tissue type has been processed, your profile is added to a global registry. This registry is accessed by transplant doctors around the world who are searching for a matching donor for their patients. From that moment on, you become part of a continuous, worldwide search to save a life.

Why finding a match is so difficult

For a patient to receive a stem cell transplant, they need a donor whose tissue type is a very close genetic match. This match needs to be as precise as possible to reduce the risk of complications and give the transplant the best chance of success.

There are thousands of possible HLA combinations, and these vary across different populations and ethnic backgrounds. This means that even with millions of registered donors worldwide, many patients still struggle to find a match. This is also why building a diverse donor registry is so important and why your registration matters more than you might realise.

What your role is at this stage

You are now on the registry, and your profile is being searched whenever a patient requires a transplant. This happens continuously, without you being notified unless you are identified as a possible match.

For some people, a match may be found within months. For others, it may take years. And for many donors, a match may never be found. That doesn’t mean your registration wasn’t important; it simply reflects how specific and complex the matching process is.

When and why we might contact you

Even if you are not yet a match, there are times when we may reach out to you. This could be to:

• confirm that your contact details are still correct
• check your availability
• ask you to complete a health questionnaire
• request an additional cheek swab or blood sample

As science continues to evolve, more information can improve how accurately we match donors and patients. In some cases, we may need to update or expand your existing donor profile to align with newer medical standards. These steps help ensure that if you are ever identified as a match, we can move forward quickly without delays.

Why your commitment matters

Being a registered donor means being prepared even during this quiet period. If you are contacted, it is because your tissue type closely matches that of a patient. At that point, things can move quickly, and your response becomes very important, as a patient’s treatment may depend on your availability and willingness to proceed.

By registering, you’ve already taken an important step. But staying committed is just as important. For many patients, a stem cell transplant is their only chance of survival, and when a match is found, every moment counts. While you are on the registry, we will continue to stay in touch with you through educational content, newsletters, and updates on our impact; if you have given consent to receive these communications. These are designed to keep you informed, engaged, and connected to the lifesaving work you are part of.

If you would like to receive these updates or be more actively engaged, you are welcome to let us know at communications@dkms-africa.org

We also encourage you to keep your contact details up to date, stay informed about the donation process, and remain open to being contacted at any time. You may never be called. But if you are, you could be the one person in the world who can give a patient a second chance at life.