WA Bone Marrow Donor Coordinators

The Department of Health WA contracts the WA Bone Marrow Donor Coordinators (WA BMDC) to recruit WA donors who are willing to donate bone marrow or blood stem cells. The WA BMDC is part of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and similar centres are established throughout Australia. They form an important network which supports the functions of the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR). The ABMDR is funded by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and is responsible for matching and arranging bone marrow/blood stem cell donations for patients in need of a transplant.

Why are blood stem cells important? 

Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones. It makes stem cells, which then make red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If someone’s bone marrow gets damaged (like from leukaemia or a blood disorder), a stem cell transplant is often their only hope for a cure.

Unfortunately stem cells must be from a donor who closely matches the patient and only 30% of patients have a match in their family. That means a blood stem cell transplant from a stranger could be the only hope for most patients.

Who is the WA BMDC looking to recruit?

1. Anyone aged between 18-35 and in good health. There is evidence that younger people make the most successful bone marrow donors for patients.

2. People from different ethnic backgrounds. Ethnic diversity is important as patients are more likely to find a match with a donor from the same ethnic background.

If you feel you meet the criteria and would like to become a donor, please contact the WA BMDC using the details below.

Contacts

WA Bone Marrow Donor Centre
Australian Red Cross Blood Lifeblood
290 Wellington Street
Perth WA 6000
Telephone:  08 9421 2886
Email: bmdcwa@redcrossblood.org.au

Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
Level 4, 727 George Street
Haymarket NSW 2000
Telephone: 02 9052 3333
Website: https://www.abmdr.org.au/ (external site) 

Further information

Members of the Blood Unit are available from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Blood Unit
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
Level 3, GPO Building
3 Forrest Place
Perth WA 6000
Phone: 6373 2321
Email: bloodmanagement@health.wa.gov.au