News & Events

The DKMS Stem Cell Bank in Dresden has been enabling the production, storage and donation of Adult Donor Cryopreserved Units (ADCUs) from unrelated donors since November 2023. These ADCUs are then made available for patients and transplantation centers worldwide for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The aim is to give patients a second chance at life in an efficient and faster way. One year after the storage of the first ADCU, a patient received one of those cryopreserved and stored donations for the first time.

Half of pediatric blood cancer patients in Chile come from the regions, yet lifesaving stem cell transplantations are only performed in Santiago. Temporary housing for patients and their families is therefore crucial in the Chilean transplant chain. To address the shortage of patient housing and reduce the waiting list for pediatric blood cancer patients, DKMS Chile is partnering with Fundación Casa Familia, a local non-profit organization. DKMS will cover the accommodation costs for four pediatric blood cancer patients and their caregivers for at least 18 months.

Young scientists worldwide who are conducting research in the field of stem cell transplantation or cell therapy for hematological diseases can apply for the DKMS John Hansen Research Grant 2025 from August 1, 2024 onwards. The foundation DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden will fund up to four innovative projects over a period of three years with 240,000 euro each. Possible aspects of the research include diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, transplant immunology, complications in stem cell transplantation, donor selection, or cell manufacturing. Applicants must have received a doctoral degree (PhD, MD or equivalent achievements) in a field pertinent to the grant within the last 10 years. The application deadline is November 20, 2024.

The DKMS Stem Cell Bank is the first facility worldwide that makes cryopreserved peripheral blood stem cells available for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

DKMS honors Professor Dr Robert Zeiser with the DKMS Mechtild Harf Science Award 2024 and four outstanding young scientists in the field of blood cancer therapy receive the highly coveted DKMS John Hansen Research Grant.

DKMS Chile is thrilled to announce the inauguration of its first collection center in Santiago de Chile on January 25, marking a significant step in enhancing stem cell collection as well as transplant capacity in the country and improving access to treatment for patients in need. This is a unique project in Chile, as it is the first facility dedicated exclusively to peripheral stem cell collection.

This year's Tandem Meetings, Transplantation & Cellular Therapy of ASTCT and CIBMTR will take place from April 23 to 26 in Salt Lake City. We will be there! Talk to us in person at our booth.

DKMS will celebrate its 30th anniversary on May 28th, the annual World Blood Cancer Day (WBCD): 30 years in which we have fought against blood cancer and achieved a lot. Today, we are an international organization with a clear message: blood cancer knows no borders. It is this message that is behind our increasing commitment to ensure patients in India, South Africa, and other developing regions of the world also have access to life-saving stem cell transplants.

DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden honors two outstanding scientists and physicians at virtual ceremony: Professor Massimo F. Martelli and Prof. Dr. Fred Falkenburg