Meet Stem Cell Donors Australia
December 16th, 2025
Tell us about Stem Cell Donors Australia. What is your mission?
Stem Cell Donors Australia is driven by one clear vision: a world where a stem cell match is identified for every person whose life depends on it.
The organisation manages and grows Australia’s blood stem cell donor registry, connecting potential donors with patients across Australia and the globe. Its mission is to ensure that, no matter where a patient is or who they are, they have the best possible chance of finding a life-saving match.
What are your programs and initiatives, and why do you run them?
Australia needs stem cell donors aged between 18 and 35 who reflect the multicultural diversity of the nation, as donor matches are strongly influenced by shared ethnicity.
Stem Cell Donors Australia’s key initiative focuses on recruiting new donors from diverse communities. Volunteers play a central role by hosting and delivering donor recruitment events at workplaces, universities, faith groups, sporting clubs and community organisations. Every presentation, conversation and new donor brings the organisation closer to saving lives and offering hope to people facing life-threatening blood cancers and disorders.
How do you involve volunteers in your programs?
Volunteers are at the heart of Stem Cell Donors Australia’s work and deliver most donor recruitment events nationwide. They complete online training and stay connected with the organisation – and with one another – through the volunteer management system, Volaby.
Volunteers are instrumental in raising awareness, running events and inspiring more Australians to join the donor registry. Learn more on the organisation’s How to help page.
How do your volunteers make a difference in the community?
Since 1 July 2025, Stem Cell Donors Australia volunteers have recruited more than 1,000 new donors, helping to increase the overall donor pool while significantly improving the diversity of the national registry.
Do you have any stories from your volunteers?
Volunteers have drawn on their personal and professional networks to organise swabbing drives at university campuses, workplaces, the Queensland Police Academy, RAAF bases, fun runs, rugby tournaments, rowing clubs and many more.
For some volunteers, this work is deeply personal, allowing the legacy of loved ones to live on by helping other families searching for a donor match. In one remarkable case, a Stem Cell Donors Australia volunteer recruiter was matched with a patient themselves.
What resources and services have supported your volunteer involvement?
Building a volunteer program from the ground up has seen Stem Cell Donors Australia draw on a range of resources from The Centre for Volunteering, including Knowledge Base templates and guides, as well as personalised support through one-on-one meetings with The Centre’s team.
Why did your organisation become a member of The Centre for Volunteering?
Before launching its volunteer program in 2025, Stem Cell Donors Australia staff participated in several webinars and workshops delivered by The Centre for Volunteering.
The Centre’s support in establishing the program, promoting volunteer roles and providing ongoing guidance has been invaluable.
What have you learnt about the value of volunteering and volunteer management?
Volunteer management is both multi-faceted and humbling. Bringing together people who genuinely care about making a difference in the lives of others is deeply inspiring. Stem Cell Donors Australia is incredibly grateful for the extraordinary contribution volunteers make every day.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering?
Charities and organisations like Stem Cell Donors Australia cannot do this work alone. Volunteers are essential to reaching communities and making an impact where it would otherwise not be possible.
There is a cause for everyone. For those who want to help save lives, Stem Cell Donors Australia encourages people to visit its How to help page. Every new donor recruited offers real hope and the potential to save a life.
LEARN MORE ABOUT STEM CELL DONORS AUSTRALIA
Membership
The Centre is proud to support organisations like Stem Cell Donors Australia doing important work in the community.
The Centre for Volunteering’s support in establishing our volunteer program, promoting volunteer roles and providing ongoing guidance has been invaluable.”
– Stem Cell Donors Australia