DKMS Herts & Essex Volunteer Hub

16/06/2026

This week marks Myeloma Awareness Week 🩸

Myeloma is the third most common blood cancer, but it is frequently missed because the symptoms themselves are vague and often linked to ageing or minor conditions.

Know the facts:

⭕ Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and currently affects more than 33,000 people in the UK.
⭕Myeloma mainly affects those over the age of 65.
⭕While the risk remains relatively low, myeloma is 2–3 times more common in black people than white people. Myeloma is also more likely to affect black people at a younger age than people from other ethnic groups.
⭕While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases.

Know the facts. Know the symptoms.

11/06/2026

A few weeks ago, Hub Lead Lesley spoke with Stort Valley & Villages Primary Care Network. This was a great way for us to talk with local practices about the stem cell register and raise awareness about the work we do in the surrounding Herts and Essex areas.

We are grateful for the chance to share our Hub's stories and explain why we're so passionate about growing the register and how others can get involved.

If you're a business or organisation and want to host an awareness event, get in touch! ⬇️

📞+44 7353 090647
📧[email protected]

10/06/2026

Eleven years ago today Volunteer Mark was confirmed to be a full match for Ivor, a stranger in need. It was a life changing moment for both of them. 🧬

Every year, Ivor and his family raised a glass to toast ‘Trevor’, his anonymous donor for giving him the chance to continue being part of all of their lives🥂.

Six years later they met and Ivor was finally able to use his proper name! Now they are firm friends who share such a unique and special bond.

Just a few days ago, Ivor’s son Roland finally met Mark for the first time! Planning is already underway for a family get together over the summer so that Ivor’s three granddaughters can also meet the man who saved their grandad’s life.

Three generations of a family, grateful for the countless moments and memories which continue to be made possible because of Mark and his donation of lifesaving stem cells. ❤️

YOU could be the one to make a difference for another family … all it takes to register is 3 little cheek swabs

01/06/2026

A big thank you to each and every one of our volunteers. Your hard work and dedication to supporting our cause over the past few years has been incredible ❤️

We couldn’t do it without you!

30/05/2026

We were delighted to partner with Mildenhall MX Ltd.., to run a registration event during the MX Master Kids UK race weekend alongside track owner Cliff and his wife Jo Bastick.

They lost their 2 year old daughter Laura to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, as no donor matches could be found on any register. They bravely shared their story throughout the weekend alongside those of our volunteers to highlight the importance of registering.

A massive thank you to Russ Watts (Southerly MXC , Thirty3mx Events ) for giving us free rein to promote stem cell donation on and off the track, and who also took the time to stop by and join the register himself! We are so very grateful to him, and everyone else who stepped away from the thrill and excitement of the track for a few short minutes to sign up and complete their cheek swabs.

We are excited that this is just the beginning of Cliff, Jo, and Laura’s twin brother Chris’s (Train 2 Gain Mx Training) involvement with DKMS. All are committed to actively raise awareness of stem cell donation across the MX clubs, racers and supporters using their services, as well as other professional and personal connections. They are sharing a unique QR code which anyone eligible can use to register online as a lifesaver in waiting.

What an amazing gift they will be giving another family if someone is found to be a match!❤️

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

28/05/2026

🩸Celebrating 🩸

Every 27 seconds someone, somewhere is diagnosed with blood cancer worldwide 🌍

DKMS is a stem cell register charity, whose primary goals involve raising awareness and getting as many people as possible signed up to the register via three simple cheek swabs.

Hope starts with You. Do the swab!