Turkish community urged to join stem cell register to help save lives

Registration drive taking place on Friday to increase number of potential Turkish donors and help tackle blood cancer

DKMS is a global leader in tackling blood cancer

Turkish communities in Haringey and Enfield are being urged to register as potential stem cell donors.

Blood cancer charity DKMS is helping to organise a registration drive for the Turkish community this week, on Friday (6^th) near Turnpike Lane Station.

More stem cell donors are said to be needed from Turkish residents in North London with only a “tiny proportion” currently registered.

DKMS holds the UK’s largest stem cell register and is working with the Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association of England (TWPA) to organise this week’s event. Seyyare Beyzade, TWPA president, said: “We need more stem cell donors from the Turkish community because we have so many vulnerable children and adults who need a stem cell transplant.

“By joining the DKMS stem cell register you could be giving someone with blood cancer or a blood disorder a precious second chance at life.”

Founded in Germany in 1991, DKMS now has twelve million registered donors and is regarded as a global leader in the facilitation of unrelated blood stem cell transplants.

TWPA is based at 4 Willoughby Road in the Turnpike Lane area and its offices will be the location for this Friday’s registration drive, from 4pm–8pm. Anyone aged from 17 to 55 years who is in general good health will be able to complete a simple mouth swab and sign up to the DKMS stem cell register.

Seyyare adds: “Your support could make all the difference. By joining the DKMS stem cell register, you could be the missing link that offers hope to someone in need.”

Blood cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with nearly 13,000 people dying annually. Over 2,000 people need a stem cell transplant from a genetic match each year but only three-in-ten UK patients will find a match within their family. Of those patients seeking a match with an altruistic stranger, four out of ten are unable to find a match.

DKMS spokesperson Deborah Hyde added: “Just 3% of the UK’s population are registered with DKMS as potential donors – and only a tiny proportion of these are from minority ethnic communities.

“We are committed to working with organisations like the TWPA to change this.”

Anyone unable to attend this week’s event can also register online:
Visit dkms.org.uk/register

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