Stem cell donors must be younger than 40

The Belgian Bone Marrow Donor Registry has set an age limit of 40 years for donors to register, report De Standaard and Het Nieuwsblad. Stem cell donation can save lives, offering hope to people with diseases such as leukemia. The Belgian Registry is nonetheless only accepting donors under the age of 40 since early July.

"Fifty years ago, we were happy with any donors we could get,” said Dr. Etienne Baudoux of the Registry. “Meanwhile, there are 23 million donors worldwide, of which 70,000 to 80,000 in Belgium, which means we can find a match for 80 to 90% of patients within the year. There are now so many donors that we can be picky: preferably young and male."

The Registry keeps a database of potential donors, who are encouraged to register until the age of 40, but could be called upon to donate bone marrow until they are 60 years old.