DKMS

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DKMS
Formation28 May 1991;33 years ago (1991-05-28)
FounderPeter Harf
Founded at Germany
Legal status Registered charity
Purpose Blood cancer awareness and donor registration for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Location
Website dkms.org

Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei, abbreviated as DKMS (transl. German Bone Marrow Donor File), is an international nonprofit bone marrow donor center based in Tübingen, Germany, with entities in Chile, India, Poland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. DKMS works in the areas of blood cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and raises awareness of the need for donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which people with blood cancers need for treatment as well as helping people sign up to their national bone marrow registries. Over the years, DKMS has expanded beyond Germany. [1] [2]

Contents

History

DKMS was founded in Germany on 28 May 1991 by billionaire Peter Harf, an executive with Coty, Inc., and university professor Gerhard Ehninger  [ de ], the hematologist who treated his first wife Mechtild Harf. [3] [4] Mechtild had been diagnosed with leukemia, and while her cancer initially responded to drugs, she eventually needed a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSC) but none of her family members were a good match.

Harf founded DKMS to raise awareness of the need for donors in Germany and to help people to register with the German national bone marrow registry. He included the whole family, including their 14-year-old daughter Katharina, in the effort. Within a year, the number of registered donors in Germany increased from 3,000 to 68,000. [1] He continued building the organization afterwards. [1]

Katharina eventually moved to the United States to Harvard University, worked for Louis Vuitton in New York City for a time, then started an MBA at Columbia University; she dropped out and instead founded the US affiliate of DKMS with her father in 2004. [1] The US affiliate also works to raise awareness of the need for donors, helps people register with the National Marrow Donor Program, and if needed will help pay for any health tests, medication and travel costs. [5] [6]

In 2014, DKMS began promoting 28 May as World Blood Cancer Day to help raise awareness. [7] [8] That year they also began offering grants to support scientists working on diagnosis or treatment of blood cancers, offering two people up to € 80,000 per year for up to three years. [9]

Activities

DKMS uses gala events and specific patient appeals to raise money and awareness. [4] [1] [10]

In the United Kingdom and the United States, DKMS hold their annual Big Love gala event to fundraise which is often attended by high-profile celebrities. Their most recent event was held at the Camden Roundhouse in November 2018, with attendees including Georgia May Jagger, Jamie Redknapp, Henry Holland and their global ambassador, model Eva Herzigová. [11] [12]

Notable patient appeals have included Marley Nicholls, [13] Damary Dawkins [14] and Peter McCleave who appeared on the BBC Breakfast TV show with his son Maxwell in February 2019 seeking 10,000 potential donors. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bone marrow</span> Semi-solid tissue in the spongy portions of bones

Bone marrow is a semi-solid tissue found within the spongy portions of bones. In birds and mammals, bone marrow is the primary site of new blood cell production. It is composed of hematopoietic cells, marrow adipose tissue, and supportive stromal cells. In adult humans, bone marrow is primarily located in the ribs, vertebrae, sternum, and bones of the pelvis. Bone marrow comprises approximately 5% of total body mass in healthy adult humans, such that a man weighing 73 kg (161 lbs) will have around 3.7 kg (8 lbs) of bone marrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fanconi anemia</span> Medical condition

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare, autosomal recessive, genetic disease resulting in impaired response to DNA damage in the FA/BRCA pathway. Although it is a very rare disorder, study of this and other bone marrow failure syndromes has improved scientific understanding of the mechanisms of normal bone marrow function and development of cancer. Among those affected, the majority develop cancer, most often acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and liver tumors. 90% develop aplastic anemia by age 40. About 60–75% have congenital defects, commonly short stature, abnormalities of the skin, arms, head, eyes, kidneys, and ears, and developmental disabilities. Around 75% have some form of endocrine problem, with varying degrees of severity. 60% of FA is FANC-A, 16q24.3, which has later onset bone marrow failure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation</span> Medical procedure to replace blood or immune stem cells

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells, usually derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood, in order to replicate inside a patient and produce additional normal blood cells. HSCT may be autologous, syngeneic, or allogeneic.

A cord blood bank is a facility which stores umbilical cord blood for future use. Both private and public cord blood banks have developed in response to the potential for cord blood in treating diseases of the blood and immune systems. Public cord blood banks accept donations to be used for anyone in need, and as such function like public blood banks. Traditionally, public cord blood banking has been more widely accepted by the medical community. Private cord blood banks store cord blood solely for potential use by the donor or donor's family. Private banks typically charge around $2,000 for the collection and around $200 a year for storage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hematopoietic stem cell</span> Stem cells that give rise to other blood cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the stem cells that give rise to other blood cells. This process is called haematopoiesis. In vertebrates, the first definitive HSCs arise from the ventral endothelial wall of the embryonic aorta within the (midgestational) aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, through a process known as endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. In adults, haematopoiesis occurs in the red bone marrow, in the core of most bones. The red bone marrow is derived from the layer of the embryo called the mesoderm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Nolan</span> UK charity

Anthony Nolan is a UK charity that works in the areas of leukaemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It manages and recruits donors to the Anthony Nolan Register, which is part of an aligned registry that also includes the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, NHS Blood and Transplant's British Bone Marrow Registry and Deutsche KnochenMarkSpenderdatei (DKMS) UK. This aligned register is known as the Anthony Nolan & NHS Stem Cell Registry. It also carries out research to help make bone marrow transplants more effective.

Cord blood is blood that remains in the placenta and in the attached umbilical cord after childbirth. Cord blood is collected because it contains stem cells, which can be used to treat hematopoietic and genetic disorders such as cancer.

Total body irradiation (TBI) is a form of radiotherapy used primarily as part of the preparative regimen for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. As the name implies, TBI involves irradiation of the entire body, though in modern practice the lungs are often partially shielded to lower the risk of radiation-induced lung injury. Total body irradiation in the setting of bone marrow transplantation serves to destroy or suppress the recipient's immune system, preventing immunologic rejection of transplanted donor bone marrow or blood stem cells. Additionally, high doses of total body irradiation can eradicate residual cancer cells in the transplant recipient, increasing the likelihood that the transplant will be successful.

NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that operates a registry of volunteer hematopoietic cell donors and umbilical cord blood units in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plerixafor</span> Chemical compound

Plerixafor, sold under the brand name Mozobil, is an immunostimulant used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells in cancer patients into the bloodstream. The stem cells are then extracted from the blood and transplanted back to the patient. The drug was developed by AnorMED, which was subsequently bought by Genzyme.

Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) or buffy coat infusion is a form of adoptive immunotherapy used after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treosulfan</span> Medication given to people before they have a bone marrow transplant

Treosulfan, sold under the brand name Trecondi, is a medication given to people before they have a bone marrow transplant from a donor known as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It is used as a 'conditioning' treatment to clear the bone marrow and make room for the transplanted bone marrow cells, which can then produce healthy blood cells. It is used together with another medicine called fludarabine in adults and children from one month of age with blood cancers as well as in adults with other severe disorders requiring a bone marrow transplant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peripheral stem cell transplantation</span> Method of replacing blood-forming stem cells

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), also called "Peripheral stem cell support", is a method of replacing blood-forming stem cells. Stem cells can be destroyed through cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, as well as any blood-related diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and multiple myeloma. PBSCT is now a much more common procedure than its bone marrow harvest equivalent due to the ease and less invasive nature of the procedure. Studies suggest that PBSCT has a better outcome in terms of the number of hematopoietic stem cell yield.

Transplantable organs and tissues may refer to both organs and tissues that are relatively often transplanted, as well as organs and tissues which are relatively seldom transplanted. In addition to this it may also refer to possible-transplants which are still in the experimental stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gift of Life Marrow Registry</span> Public blood stem cell and bone marrow registry

The Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida that operates a public blood stem cell and bone marrow registry while facilitating transplants for children and adults battling life-threatening illnesses, including leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers and genetic diseases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haematopoietic system</span> Organs that make blood cells

The haematopoietic system is the system in the body involved in the creation of the cells of blood.

Marcel R.M. van den Brink is a Dutch oncologist and researcher known for his research in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for cancer patients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DATRI</span> Nonprofit organization for blood stem cell donation in India

DATRI is a not-for-profit organization registered in 2009 as a Section 8 company under Government of India. DATRI is one of the largest unrelated blood stem cell donors registry in India, that helps patients with blood cancer and other fatal blood disorders to find a HLA matched Blood Stem Cell donor. Blood stem cell transplant is a chance of cure for patients with blood cancer and other severe blood disorders. As of January 2023, DATRI has more than 5 lakhs voluntary donors registered and it has facilitated 1074 plus transplants worldwide. DATRI operates across India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shimon Slavin</span> Israeli professor of medicine

Shimon Slavin is an Israeli professor of medicine. He pioneered immunotherapy mediated by allogeneic donor lymphocytes and innovative methods for stem cell transplantation to cure hematological malignancies and solid tumors. He also used hematopoietic stem cells to induce transplantation tolerance to bone marrow and organ allografts.

African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) is an independent UK charity for people with leukaemia and other life-threatening disorders. The ACLT aims to raise awareness on stem cell, blood and organ donation in the UK, with a particular focus on black and mixed race communities.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Cordes, Michaela (27 November 2015). "A Modern Heroine". GG Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "Thousands sign up to save three-year-old Ava Stark". BBC News. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  3. ↑ U. S. Board Members, dkms.org Website, retrieved: 11 May 2020
  4. 1 2 Grinnell, SunHee (3 May 2012). "Coty Inc. and DKMS Go Star-studded to Save Kids' Lives". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Sutterer, Anna (9 March 2017). "Bone marrow donation makes remarkable match". Vox Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Patterson, Amy (26 November 2016). "A bone marrow match needed to save girl". Daily Journal Online.
  7. ↑ Mai, Andy; Greene, Leonard (23 May 2017). "Mets raise blood cancer awareness, honor heroic donors". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022.
  8. ↑ Wenk, Erik (28 May 2014). "Vor allem Polizisten wollen Knochenmark spenden". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German).
  9. ↑ "Mechtild Harf Research Grants". DKMS. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Rock star Mike Peters recruits bone marrow donors in US". BBC News. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Cope, Rebecca (8 November 2018). "Second annual DKMS Big Love Gala in London attracts social set". Tatler. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  12. ↑ "60 Hochwertige The Dkms Love Gala 2018 Bilder und Fotos - Getty Images". gettyimages.de. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  13. ↑ "'14,000 sign up' to save boy's life". BBC News. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  14. ↑ "Palace join DKMS to find a lifesaving donor for Damary". palaceforlife.org. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  15. ↑ "'My dad has a blood cancer I really don't want him to have' - heartbreaking plea to help Ironman". Dorset Echo. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
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