DKMS, the international non-profit organisation dedicated to saving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders and the world’s largest stem cell donor database, has published its second Global Impact Report. The report highlights the key achievements and milestones of 2024 and features powerful personal stories from donors whose selfless actions have saved lives, and survivors sharing their gratitude. These stories reflect DKMS’s mission to give as many patients with blood cancer and blood disorders as possible around the world a second chance at life.
Global willingness to donate stem cells is essential to making lifesaving transplantations possible. Currently, more than 13 million people are registered with DKMS, and since 1991, the organisation has facilitated over 130,000 stem cell donations worldwide. According to the global impact report, in 2024 DKMS had 12.7 million potential donors from seven countries across five continents in its database. Almost 729,344 people were newly recruited in 2024 alone, nearly 80,000 of them in India.
In the same year, 9,126 patients across 60 countries received a second chance at life through a DKMS stem cell donation, including more than 40 collections in India. By the end of 2024, DKMS had also enabled an additional 2,275 patients, primarily in medically underserved regions, to access lifesaving transplants through aid programs and other initiatives, 454 of whom benefited in 2024.
“In India, DKMS Foundation is more than an NGO, it’s a beacon of hope connecting selfless individuals with patients in urgent need of a second chance at life. In 2024, we are proud to say that our hard work and commitment produced 80,000 new registrations and enabled more than 40 donations. Every patient inspires and motivates us to keep going and continue our efforts to find suitable matches for as many of them as possible. We see the increasing requests from transplant centers across India and abroad as a sign of trust in our work and a reminder of the responsibility we share.” Patrick Paul, Executive Chairman at DKMS in India, added.
A milestone in the further development of stem cell donation was reached in 2024 with the first blood cancer patient to receive a transplant of stored stem cells from an adult donor (ADCUs). The DKMS Stem Cell Bank in Dresden is the first institution worldwide to offer the possibility of storing surplus peripheral stem cells from adult donors so that they are available at short notice for patients in urgent need of a transplant.
Three pillars for a second chance at life
DKMS takes a holistic approach to helping people with blood cancer and blood disorders. “Our goal is to find a suitable donor for everyone affected, improve treatment outcomes and ensure that people in underserved regions have access to lifesaving transplantations,” says Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS.
The DKMS Global Impact Report shows how the organisation is addressing these challenges and health inequalities worldwide:
- More stem cell donations worldwide – through the continuous expansion of a genetically diverse donor pool that offers as many patients as possible, regardless of their origin, a chance of successful treatment.
- Equity in global healthcare – through better access to lifesaving transplantations, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Advancing research and development – contributing to the progress of innovative cell therapies and improvement of survival rates.
The next generation of ‘lifesavers’
DKMS has set ambitious goals for the future with its Agenda 2030. “Over the next five years, we want to increase the number of donors in our database to 17 million and the number of people with blood cancer whom we have been able to give a second chance at life since 1991 to 200,000,” says Elke Neujahr. ”With the passion and commitment of our team and all the people who support us financially and medically, I am confident that we can achieve these goals.”
The complete DKMS Global Impact Report 2024 is available for download at https://www.dkms-group.org/global-impact-report-2024
To register as a potential stem cell donor, you must be a healthy Indian adult between 18 and 55. When you are ready to register, all you need to do is complete a consent form and swab the inside of your cheeks to collect your tissue cells. Your tissue sample is then sent to the lab to be analysed for your HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) and listed anonymously on the international search platform for matching stem cell donors. If you’re eligible, register as a blood stem cell donor by ordering your home swab kit at www.dkms-india.org/register
