Stem Cell Donor
Requirements

Donor Exclusion Criteria

Why Some Can't Donate: Essential Health Guidelines

Your safety and the patient’s well being are our top priorities. For this reason, certain health conditions prevent individuals from registering as stem cell donors at this time. If any of the following apply to you, we won’t be able to include you in our registry, but we deeply appreciate your willingness to help save lives

Basic Eligibility:

Under 16 or over 45 years old

Not living in South Africa (or leaving within 2 years)

Weight under 50kg or BMI over 40

Health Conditions That Exclude You:



Infectious Diseases:


• HIV/HTLV positive (you or partner)
• Hepatitis B/C positive (you or partner)
• High-risk sexual behavior

Blood & Immune Disorders:
Blood & Immune Disorders:


• Inherited blood disorders (e.g., Sickle Cell, Thalassemia – including carriers)
• Bleeding disorders (e.g., Hemophilia, von Willebrand disease)
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s)

Chronic Conditions:

• Uncontrolled diabetes, epilepsy, or severe asthma (2 attacks/year)

• Heart/kidney disease or transplant recipient

• Cancer history (all types)

• Neurological conditions (e.g. MS, Parkinson’s)

• Mental health conditions requiring lithium/multiple antidepressants

Temporary Exclusions:

• Active TB treatment



Medications That Disqualify:


• Blood thinners or steroids

• More than 2 anti-depressants/anxiety medication

• Any drug that can’t be paused if you match for a patient

Note: If you’re ineligible to donate blood, you can’t donate stem cells

Read More