Discover more about the latest developments in stem cell transplants.

• May 28 marked World Blood Cancer Day, and to highlight the need for more stem cell donors, The Leukaemia Foundation visited Parliament House. The event was attended by patients, supporters and MPs alike – who all came together to raise awareness of both the issues facing blood cancer patients and urge more Australians to register for the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
• Every year, more than 600 Australian blood cancer patients need donated stem cells for a potentially life-saving transplant. With not enough Australians registered on the ABMDR, 3 in 4 stem cell donations must be sourced internationally.
• “Patients and their supporters – who are passionate about the need for more stem cell donors – attended. Hopefully they continue to be granted opportunities to present their lived experience to our Parliamentarians. Obviously to achieve lasting and significant change, we need continued and longstanding commitments. This will drive further system improvements. We ’ll be looking for the MPs to continue promoting the need for more donors in their communities. We will watch closely to see how the $4 million announced a few months ago is spent,” says Leukaemia Foundation Head of Government Relations & Policy Andrew Mosley.
• This event came two months after a $4.2 million funding boost to the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) was announced by the Albanese Government and state and territory Health Ministers.