A year shaped by generosity
For TLR, 2025 was shaped by young Australians who learned about stem cell donation, picked up a cheek swab kit, and said yes to helping someone facing blood cancer. They were not looking for recognition. Instead, they simply cared enough to get involved.
Stem cell donation starts with one simple choice. Someone decides they can help a person they may never meet. This year, we saw that choice made again and again. Because of this, more people understood what stem cell donation can do and why it matters.
Three legends who just signed up to the stem cell donor registry
A stronger online home that changed everything
Updating our online home was one of the biggest shifts this year. TLR was incredibly lucky to receive a grant from the QBE Foundation. Their support helped us build a clear and welcoming website that made information easy to find and easy to understand.
As a result, people could learn about stem cell donation, watch donor stories, and join the registry in just a few minutes. At the same time, they could read about our nursing scholarships and how these support the care of people facing blood cancer.
The impact was clear. People understood the donation process and saw young Australians who had already donated. They also learned why diversity on the registry matters and how TLR supports nurses. Because of this, the site helped turn interest into action, and more people signed up. Importantly, it also reached people who had never heard of stem cell donation or our scholarships before.
None of this would have been possible without the QBE Foundation.
Donor stories that shaped the movement
Abbey donating stem cells for her mum.
Stories continued to play a powerful role this year. Mark spoke about donating stem cells to a stranger and what it meant to know his stem cells were needed. Abbey shared her experience donating to her mum and the strength behind that moment. Josh spoke honestly about the process and the side effects he experienced.
Seeing our scholarship recipient Kirstie join the registry was also incredibly powerful. It showed that nurses do not just care for people facing blood cancer. They step up in many ways to help save lives.
These stories were real and direct. Because of that, they helped people understand the process and see that stem cell donation is something they can do.
TLR’s first 100 online donors
Another important milestone this year was reaching the first one hundred online signups through the TLR partner page. One hundred may sound small, but for a charity our size it means a great deal. People paid attention, the message landed, and the momentum began to build.
Students, young professionals, nurses, and hospital staff all signed up. Many had not heard of stem cell donation before. However, once they understood it, they joined. Seeing someone like them say yes made the decision easier. In the end, every new donor created more hope for the next person searching for a match.
Why diversity mattered more than ever
One message stood out clearly this year. Australia needs a donor registry that reflects its communities. To donate stem cells, donors and patients need to share a similar ethnic background. For that reason, diversity on the registry truly matters.
When donors from different backgrounds share their stories, people can see themselves in the process. In turn, families feel hope. Patients can see that someone from their own community may be ready to help.
When Aadil said “donating stem cells is actually quite relaxing” we smiled.
Aadil made this message real. His story reached Sri Lankan and South Asian communities where many people had never heard of stem cell donation. Seeing him donate showed just how much Australia needs donors from diverse backgrounds. Each new donor strengthens the registry and gives the next person searching for a match a better chance.
Stories that turned interest into action
Every time someone shared their experience, more people joined the registry. It felt personal, and that is why people responded. Young Australians want to help. They just need clear information and a reason to believe they can make a difference.
Many people joined because someone like them had already said yes. As a result, each new donor created an opportunity that someone facing blood cancer would not have otherwise had.
Looking ahead to 2026
The momentum is here, and next year we will keep building on it. There will be more stories, more education, and more conversations in places where stem cell donation is not usually discussed. TLR will continue reaching young Australians, especially those from communities that are not well represented on the registry.
We are incredibly proud of the progress made this year and deeply grateful to everyone who stepped up. We are also beyond grateful to the QBE Foundation. Their support helped TLR grow, improve our website, and reach people who had never heard about stem cell donation before.
There is still a lot of work ahead. However, there is also a lot of hope. When people understand the need for stem cell donors, they step up.
Be a legend, save a life
If you’re aged 18 to 35, you can join the Australian stem cell donor registry with a few simple cheek swabs. It takes only a couple of minutes to sign up and a swab kit will be mailed to your door.
Just remember to post back the kit, because someone out there may be waiting for you.
You can sign up through the TLR partner page.