Difference between related and unrelated donors

Due to siblings having a certain number of genes in common, the chance of tissue compatibility between them is much greater than between persons who are not related. The probability of finding a suitable donor within the family, especially among siblings, is 20 – 30%. All other patients must rely on a suitable unrelated donor being found.

Swiss Blood stem cells concentrates on blood stem cell donations between unrelated donors and recipients only. If it is possible for a patient to have a donation from a sibling (or other relative), all the necessary procedures are carried out directly by the competent transplant centre.