Who We Are

A large, cheerful group of DKMS volunteers, employess, supporters, and families pose together during a community event in Chile. Most are wearing red DKMS shirts and standing in front of a DKMS banner that reads 'Juntos contra el cáncer de sangre', which means 'Together against blood cancer'. A red sign on a bicycle trailer with giant cotton swabs and a QR code asks, '¿Cuántos kilómetros pedalearías para salvar una vida?', which means 'How many kilometers would you cycle to save a life?', encouraging donations and participation in a fundraising bike challenge.

From one local donor center to a global nonprofit

DKMS is a nonprofit organization founded in Germany in 1991. Since then, we have continued to expand into other countries, driven by our mission to give as many patients as possible a second chance at life.

The DKMS Group gGmbH is the international organization that oversees the operation of its seven stem cell donor centers across the world and the German-based medical and scientific entities to further the treatment of blood cancer and blood disorders.

Two smiling female DKMS volunteers stand in front of a red DKMS booth with the Polish message 'Zostań Dawcą Szpiku!', which means 'Become a stem cell donor!'. They are wearing red DKMS shirts, event badges. The woman, who stands on the right, holds a small DKMS flag and the other woman, who stands on the left, has two funny signs with a pair of glasses and with wings in both hands. The atmosphere is joyful.

Since the inception of the first DKMS entity in 1991 and the creation of the mother foundation DKMS Stiftung Leben Spenden in 1997, the organization has grown exponentially - both in capacity and impact. Today, it maintains the world's largest and most diverse donor databases. With offices in Germany, the US, the UK, Poland, Chile, India, and South Africa, DKMS is a global leader in the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

Discover DKMS
Learn more about DKMS - who we are and what we do.
Black-and-white photo of a woman donating periphal blood stem cells while reclining in a medical chair. She is connected to an apheresis machine, holding a stress ball in one hand, and smiling slightly toward the camera.
Our History
Portrait of Dr. Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS Group, standing in a bright office space. She is wearing a white blazer, a light sage satin blouse, a golden necklace and is smiling confidently at the camera. In the background is a bouquet of flowers on a office table, blue office chairs, and windows.
Global Executive Team
A group of thirteen enthusiastic DKMS volunteers pose together at the Poland Rock Festival 2023. They are standing and kneeling around a chalkboard that announces the number of new potential donors registered. The atmosphere is joyful and happy, with cloudy skies in the background.
Our Structure