AQW 19109/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 19/05/2021
Answered On Date: 24/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the current and planned efforts to promote stem cell donation; and (ii) the facilities that exist in Northern Ireland to receive stem cell donations.

Answer:

During September, my Department ran a campaign during blood cancer awareness month, aimed at raising awareness around the signs and symptoms of blood cancer, and informing people about how they can join the Registry if interested.

All of the blood cancer registries have very active UK-wide communications strategies and ongoing campaigns which include promotion in Northern Ireland.

NI Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) facilitates promotion through signposting and information leaflets for people interested in becoming donors and has agreed in principle to supporting any further campaigns as it is well placed to promote messages through its network of blood donors.

Within Northern Ireland, NIBTS does not have a direct role in collecting stem cells or registering potential donors. However, the NHS Stem Cell Registry operates as part of a network of national and international registries which includes the British Bone Marrow Registry, Antony Nolan and DKMS, working together to match suitable potential donors with blood cancer patients who require a transplant.