A stem cell transplant is a medical procedure used to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells. These stem cells can grow into different types of blood cells, which helps restore the body’s ability to fight infections, produce oxygen, and heal. The procedure is often used to treat serious blood and immune system conditions.
Stem cell transplants are commonly used to treat blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. They can also be used for non-cancerous conditions, including severe aplastic anemia, sickle cell disease, and certain immune system or metabolic disorders.
Stem cell transplants are typically performed on individuals whose conditions have not responded to other treatments. Patients can range from children to adults, depending on the condition being treated. Some patients receive their own stem cells (autologous transplant), while others receive stem cells from a donor (allogeneic transplant).
The process of a stem cell transplant involves several stages, each critical to the patient’s treatment and recovery:
High-dose chemotherapy: Before the transplant, patients typically undergo high-dose chemotherapy (and sometimes radiation therapy) to destroy diseased or damaged bone marrow. This step is essential to make space for the new healthy stem cells but can also cause significant side effects.
Harvesting or finding a donor: If the patient is having an autologous transplant, their own stem cells are collected and stored before chemotherapy. For an allogeneic transplant, a donor must be found—this could be a family member or an unrelated match through a donor registry.
Infusion of stem cells: The transplant itself involves the infusion of the collected or donated stem cells through a vein, similar to receiving a blood transfusion. This usually takes a few hours.
Hospital stay: Patients are often hospitalized for several weeks during and after the transplant. This is because their immune system is severely weakened, and they require close monitoring for infections, complications, and how well their body accepts the new stem cells.
Recovery period: Recovery can take months or even up to a year. During this time, patients must avoid infections and manage side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, and changes to their immune system. Regular check-ups and support from healthcare teams are essential during this phase.
A stem cell transplant is a demanding process, but for many, it can be life-saving or provide a pathway to long-term remission.
Approximately 5,000 stem cell transplants are performed annually across the UK. This includes around 3,000 autologous transplants and 2,000 allogeneic transplants, carried out in over 50 specialized units nationwide.
You can donate in two simple ways:
Every donation helps us provide care packages to stem cell transplant patients across the UK.
We are not a registered charity but a non-profit social enterprise. This means that any funds we receive are reinvested directly into our work to support stem cell transplant patients. While we do not have charitable status, we operate with the same mission of delivering meaningful social impact.
At this time, we are unable to accept physical item donations due to logistical constraints and the specific quality requirements of the items in our care packages. However, monetary donations allow us to purchase high-quality, standardised products that meet patients’ needs.
If you are able to provide long-term support of donations of relevant items then please get in touch to discuss this with us.
Yes, all donors will receive a confirmation email and receipt for their contribution. If you donate through our website or JustGiving, you will also receive an acknowledgment with our heartfelt thanks for your support.
This social enterprise was founded by someone who has personally experienced the challenges of a stem cell transplant. After undergoing a transplant for multiple myeloma in December 2021, our founder realized the need for practical and emotional support tailored specifically to stem cell transplant patients. This initiative was created to fill that gap and improve the recovery journey for others facing similar challenges.
We operate as a non-profit social enterprise, meaning all funds raised are reinvested directly into our work to support stem cell transplant patients. While we don’t have charitable status, our mission and values are focused on creating meaningful social impact, and we work with transparency and accountability to achieve this.
Becoming a charity involves complicated applications and lots of admin. We would like to concentrate on our aims first, though it is something we are considering in the future.
We work in partnership with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where our initiative began. As we grow, we aim to collaborate with other NHS transplant units, patient advocacy groups, and businesses to ensure that our care packages reach as many patients as possible across the UK.
We are currently focused on providing care packages to patients through our partnerships with hospitals. However, we are exploring ways to offer a “buy one, give one” model in the future, where you can purchase a box for a loved one and fund one for a transplant patient in need. Keep an eye on our website for updates!