DKMS and Flix join forces to inspire lifesaving stem cell donor registrations

New partnership uses travel moments to help blood cancer and blood disorder patients

 Flix, a global travel tech leader and DKMS, an international non-profit organisation dedicated to saving the lives of patients with blood cancer and blood disorders, have launched a long-term partnership to raise awareness and drive stem cell donor registration across six countries. 

Through the collaboration entitled “Your journey could save a life”, DKMS and Flix aim to make registration as a potential stem cell donor as accessible and seamless as possible.

Travellers using onboard Wi-Fi on FlixBus in the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Poland, Chile and the United States, as well as FlixTrain, will be guided to a dedicated landing page where they can begin the registration process with just a few clicks.

Every 27 seconds, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with blood cancer or a severe blood disorder. In the UK, a new blood cancer diagnosis occurs every 14 minutes.

While 30% of patients may find a matching stem cell donor within their family, the remaining 70% rely on unrelated donors, many of whom never find a match due to underrepresentation in donor registries. DKMS is working globally to diversify the donor pool to improve chances for all patients, especially those with rare genetic profiles.  

A shared commitment to social impact

The campaign leverages Flix’s international reach and digital infrastructure to promote awareness and action in six participating countries including the United Kingdom, India, Germany, Poland, Chile and the United States. Flix travellers are met with simple, actionable prompts at key digital touchpoints during their journey, making it easy to sign up as a potential donor in the midst of everyday life.

“Every journey has the potential to change lives for those who travel, and for those waiting for a second chance at life, “ says Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of DKMS. ”By partnering with Flix, we're turning mobility into meaningful impact.”

Peter McCleave, DKMS UK Managing Director says: “Through this partnership with Flix, we are reaching people in everyday moments and showing them how easy it is to take the first step toward saving a life. It’s a simple act that can make a real difference, not only for patients here in the UK but around the world."

André Schwämmlein, CEO of Flix, states: “This collaboration shows how technology, mobility and purpose can come together. Flix connects people every day across borders, and now we’re helping connect potential lifesavers with patients around the world.”

Who can register?

In the UK, anyone between the ages of 17-55 in general good health, with a BMI under 40, and not already registered, can sign up as a potential donor here https://dkms.org.uk/flix_uk