DKMS

German bone marrow donor center

Logo of DKMS in English

DKMS (Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and other blood disorders. Founded in Germany in 1991, DKMS has grown to become one of the largest bone marrow donor centers in the world, with operations in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Chile, and India.

History

DKMS was established by Dr. Peter Harf in honor of his wife, Mechtild Harf, who succumbed to leukemia. The organization was created to increase the number of potential bone marrow donors and improve the chances of finding matches for patients in need of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Mission and Activities

The primary mission of DKMS is to provide a second chance at life for patients with blood cancer and other blood disorders. The organization achieves this by:

• Registering potential bone marrow donors
• Conducting public awareness campaigns about the importance of bone marrow donation
• Supporting patients and their families throughout the transplantation process

Donor Registration

DKMS operates a comprehensive donor registration program. Potential donors can register online or at one of the many donor drives organized by DKMS. The registration process involves a simple cheek swab to collect DNA samples, which are then analyzed to determine the donor's HLA (human leukocyte antigen) type.

Public Awareness

DKMS actively engages in public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the need for bone marrow donors. These campaigns often feature personal stories of patients and donors, highlighting the life-saving impact of bone marrow transplants.

Patient Support

In addition to donor registration and awareness, DKMS provides support to patients and their families. This includes guidance through the transplantation process and emotional support during treatment.

Global Presence

DKMS has expanded its operations beyond Germany, establishing branches in several countries:

• United States: DKMS US was established to increase donor registration and support American patients.
• United Kingdom: DKMS UK focuses on raising awareness and registering donors in the UK.
• Poland: DKMS Poland works to increase the number of Polish donors and support local patients.
• Chile: DKMS Chile is involved in donor registration and awareness campaigns in South America.
• India: DKMS BMST Foundation India is a joint venture with the Bangalore Medical Services Trust, focusing on increasing donor registration in India.

Impact

Since its inception, DKMS has registered millions of potential donors and facilitated thousands of bone marrow transplants worldwide. The organization's efforts have significantly increased the chances of finding matching donors for patients in need.

Related pages

• Bone marrow transplant
• Leukemia
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• Human leukocyte antigen