DKMS' Stem Cell Society student ambassadors ready to make change
DKMS’ Stem Cell Society student ambassadors are planning their upcoming events after their training sessions on (FRI)10 and (SAT)11 January in London.
The aim of the Stem Cell Society is to reach a younger audience by creating student ambassadors to support the not-for-profit organisation’s mission.
DKMS is an international charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Stem Cells are harvested from blood and used to treat various diseases.
After the charity’s launch in the UK in 2013, it has since become the biggest stem cell register in the country.
The student ambassadors are empowered to take meaningful action on their university campuses by organising awareness campaigns, donor drives and fundraising events.
Stem Cell Societies launched in September 2024, with the first training sessions occurring in January 2025.
Currently, seven universities are involved, including De Montfort University (DMU) and the University of Leicester (UOL).
“Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer and every year around 2,000 people will be told they will need a transplant.
“Of that group, 60% will have a match currently on the register which means our work is cut out for us, there’s a lot left to be done."
Michael Gallagher
DKMS' PR and media officer
Second-year UOL medical physiology student, Uma Chauhan, joined the Stem Cell Society as it not only helps with her degree, but it also benefits a good cause.
Ready to help delete blood cancer: UOL student Uma Chauhan
Ready to help delete blood cancer: UOL student Uma Chauhan
During the training day, student ambassadors heard from a young man who had two stem cell transfusions and is now cured from blood cancer.
“Hearing that young boy’s story was so emotional and so touching to think that these are real people, and they have their whole lives ahead of them now,” said Uma.
Second-year DMU Computer Science student, Nour Id Lahsen, joined the Stem Cell Society after she talked to them during a fair at university.
Raring to go: DMU student Nour Id Lahsen ready to host events
Raring to go: DMU student Nour Id Lahsen ready to host events
“As someone who has known people with cancer and has had people pass away from it, I’ve always been on the lookout for charity that helps people’s lives which is what DKMS does with registering people to the stem cell register.
“The most important thing to keep in mind is that the mission is to, like, delete blood cancer. That's our slogan. And so, we basically give people another chance at life and that's what the main thing that keeps me going,” said Nour.
Both DMU and UOL are planning on upcoming events to both fundraise for DKMS, raise awareness of stem cell registration and more.
If you would like to learn more information about registering as a stem cell donor, visit dkms.org.uk.
You can also order your swab kits to your house and get registered for free on their website.
Photo credit to DKMS, provided by Michael Gallagher
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