Give Patients with Blood Cancer a Second Chance!

Only 33% of stem cell donors are registered outside of North America and Europe. This means that many patients in Asia or with Asian-Heritage struggle to find a suitable donor.

Your financial donations are changing this. The donations that we received through GlobalGiving in 2024 have been gifted out to new and emerging Stem Cell Registries. 

Our report today focuses on the Malaysian Stem Cell Registry (MSCR). They have received a WMDA GlobalGiving Grant providing them with access to knowledge, expertise and support.

They wanted to say a big thank you to you all!

We in Malaysian Stem Cell Registry (MSCR) are deeply honoured and immensely grateful to receive the GlobalGiving grants. It is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and creativity that goes into our endeavours. This grant is not just a personal victory but a collective one. It belongs to everyone who believed in our vision, supported our journey, and shared in our passion. We are truly humbled and inspired to continue striving for excellence and making a positive impact. Thank you once again to the WMDA for this incredible honour. May we all continue to achieve greatness and inspire others through our work. Thank you.

Imagine a world without the revolutionary vision of Jon van Rood, John Goldman, and E. Donnall Thomas, who founded the World Marrow Donor Association 30 years ago. What if their groundbreaking organisation had never been created? Would hematologists and medical directors still be gathering monthly, combing through cards and lists, hoping to find a potential stem cell donor within their own borders? The thought of it feels unimaginable—an era where time was lost, and borders posed life-threatening barriers to patients in need.

Thankfully, we don't live in that world. Thanks to the foresight of these pioneers, every donor is available to patients in need, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other factor. Their vision, built on a foundation of cooperation between 57 countries, ensures that doctors across the globe can search daily for the most suitable match for their patients. They didn't just unite countries—they standardized and continually improved the complex medical, financial, ethical, and logistical challenges of international stem cell transplants.

Their work was essential. They saw the obstacles of transporting stem cells across borders and made it possible through clear guidelines and international standards. And today, we witness the incredible results of their foresight: more than 50% of patients find a donor in another country. In a race where every second counts, the global network they created has become a lifeline for patients battling blood cancer, giving them not only a chance at life, but also precious time. Without their tireless efforts, many would have faced a very different reality. Their legacy is nothing short of life-saving, and it's a legacy that thanks to your help and support, we proudly carry forward today.

Just like our founders, we are driven by the desire to save even more lives. But with almost two-thirds of the world’s population still unable to access our donors, knowledge, and life-saving best practices, there is so much more to be done. Countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Namibia are waiting for the chance to give their patients a fighting chance.

You can make a real difference. Help us provide free access to our services in these countries, and beyond. Mark your calendar for Tuesday 3 December, Giving Tuesday, when every donation you give will be matched and increased, amplifying the impact of your generosity. Start saving today to give the gift of life, and join us in expanding this life-saving network to every corner of the world.

Together, we can ensure no one is left behind!