Blood contains various cellular components, namely red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. All these blood cell components originate from blood stem (progenitor) cells. Blood stem cells are formed in the bone marrow, and upon receiving chemical signals, they differentiate into various blood cell components before being released into the bloodstream. Blood stem cells can be obtained from peripheral blood vessels, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood.

Your blood stem cells are needed to treat patients suffering from blood diseases (such as leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia) to give them a chance to recover and regain their health.

Before becoming a donor, you need to undergo a special laboratory test (HLA Typing), where a swab or blood sample will be taken from you. This special test is used to identify proteins found on the surface of white blood cells, known as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). You are eligible to become a stem cell blood donor if the laboratory test results show that your HLA matches that of the patient.