Launceston hospital launches first stem cell donor drive
24 Aug 2026
The drive was organised by LGH nurse Amy How, who knows the importance of stem cell donation from personal experience.
Amy, who has worked at the hospital for 15 years, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2024. She needed a stem cell transplant and could not find a suitable match among her family or on the Australian registry.
A match was eventually found through a donor in Germany. Amy received her transplant in early 2025 and has since returned to work part time.
Amy said her transplant gave her the opportunity to recover and she remains grateful to her donor.
She is now encouraging more people to consider joining the stem cell donor registry, saying stem cell donation is not as widely understood as blood or organ donation.
People aged 17 to 35 can register. The process begins with registration and three cheek swabs. Eligible people can register at the hospital during the donor drive or request a home testing kit through Stem Cell Donors Australia.
If a donor is matched with a patient, the most common donation method is similar to donating plasma.
The Launceston Stem Cell Donor Drive will take place at the LGH cafeteria on Level 2 on Friday 28 August, from 11am to 4pm.
Launceston hospital launches first stem cell donor drive
Source: Launceston General Hospital / Tasmanian Department of Health