The concept of the Saudi Stem Cells Donor Registry commenced in April 2011 under the umbrella of King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, where SSCDR aims to establish a database of people who are willing to donate their Hematopoietic Stem Cells for patients in need. The Hematopoietic Stem Cells are considered the mother cells in the human body, where they are being specialized through certain mechanisms to all blood components. The patients with incurable diseases, such as leukemia and genetic blood diseases and inherited immunodeficiency, are the beneficiaries of the Hematopoietic Stem Cells transplants.
This registry is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the main source for patients who failed to find matching donors among their relatives. Research shows around 40% and 60% for adults and children, respectively, do not have a suitable donor among their first degree relatives.