Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. For many of those affected, a blood stem cell donation from a matching donor represents their best, and sometimes only, chance of beating this devastating disease. Despite being treatable and potentially curable, blood cancer today remains the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the UK, and still claims the lives of more children in the UK than any other disease. We launched in the UK in February 2013 with a key mission to increase the pool of lifesaving blood stem cell donors, as we believe that not one single person suffering with a blood cancer should die because they are unable to find a matching blood stem cell donor. We are part of DKMS (The Foundation for Donating Life), a global family of organisations that started in Germany in 1991 around one family's search for a donor. Dr. Peter Harf and Prof. Gerhard Ehninger founded DKMS in honour of Harf's wife, Mechtild, who had sadly lost her battle with blood cancer. The worldwide search for donors still goes on today for every single person in need of a lifesaving blood stem cell donation. DKMS has grown to become the world's largest stem cell donor centre. Today over 7.5 million potential donors have registered and over 64,000 stem cell donations have taken place, to give all these people a second chance of life. We work towards achieving our mission by raising awareness and empowering people to register, and to join our campaign by taking action in their communities, schools, Universities and companies; working with volunteers and organisations throughout the UK to inspire and register more people.
About us
DKMS is a charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders. We raise awareness, recruit blood stem cell donors to the register and raise funds to help give more people with blood cancer a second chance of life. We also support patients from day one of their diagnosis, as well as their families and friends who often wish to organise events to encourage more people to join the register. This is a really positive way to get involved, and help to rally community support and provide hope at a time when it’s so needed.
About the role
Donor drive volunteers support donor recruitment events to increase the pool of registered stem cell donors. The more people who join the register, the more lives we can save. Someone is diagnosed in the UK every 20 minutes and every 45 minutes blood cancer takes a life in the UK. For many blood cancer patients, a stem cell donation is their only chance of survival, but only 60% of people diagnosed in the UK find a matching stem cell donor. By assisting at a donor drive, you are supporting us to increase the pool of registered stem cell donors and therefore increasing the chances of someone with blood cancer being given a second chance of life.
We’re looking for someone passionate about fighting blood cancer and blood disorders, to join with us to:
• Providing a warm welcome to all visitors
• Answering basic questions about the process and commitment involved in registering (training provided)
• Handing out flyers and support with fundraising on the day
• Answer questions about the work of DKMS
• Check registration forms to ensure all relevant data is collected
• Helping to save lives!
Minimum Time Commitment
This role is on an ad-hoc basis depending on the time and date of the Donor Registration events taking place, which includes weekends and evenings, but the hours are flexible and negotiable to suit the volunteer. We will contact you in plenty of time to check your availability on upcoming events.
Skills/Experience
• Reliable, organised and meticulous
• Committed
• Warm, friendly and non judgemental
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• A genuine interest and desire to support the work of DKMS team.
What you can expect from DKMS
We’ll be here to support you in your role and will provide you with
• Comprehensive training and support from the DKMS team
• Material to support your voluntary activities
• Recognition of your work and achievements
• An opportunity to feedback on your experience and shape the future development of the program
• A professional reference from an international charity (after 4 events with us)
• Lunch and travel expenses reimbursed when volunteering at Events
Other Benefits
You will develop and sharpen many skills including:
• Gain experience in the charity sector
• Customer Service skills
• Supporting and Planning outreach events
• Volunteering in the community
• Signposting skills
Find out more
If you would like to know more about the role before applying please contact us on 020 8747 5657 or email: volunteering@dkms.org.uk
Start Date: 18-09-2024