Breaking down the barriers to stem cell donation at Mardi Gras Fair Day
The TLR Foundation is an accredited recruitment partner of Stem Cell Donors Australia. This month, TLR’s Founding Director, Neil Pennock, and his team attended Sydney Mardi Gras Fair Day to promote stem cell donation among the LGBTQI+ community. This is Neil’s experience of the event, reflecting on its impact and the continuing mission to recruit more life-saving stem cell donors within the LGBTQI+ community.
One of the most common questions we were asked at Fair Day was “Can gay or bisexual men donate stem cells?” The answer is simple: Yes! Unlike blood donation, eligibility requirements for stem cell donation are different. As long as you are aged 18-35 and in good health, you can join the registry and potentially save a life.
“Fair Day this year was absolutely brilliant! The energy, the support, the sense of community – everything about it was next level. We had our biggest stem cell donor sign-up event ever, which just proves how much this community cares about helping others.
One of the real highlights for me was seeing people’s reactions when they found out they could sign up. So many had been frustrated by blood donation restrictions, and when they realised stem cell donation was something they could do to help – no restrictions, no barriers – they were all in.
We also had some great chats with other organisations keen to work with us in the future, which means this one day is going to have a lasting impact well beyond the event itself.
The response from the LGBTQI+ community was incredible. People were genuinely excited to learn that their sexuality or gender identity makes zero difference to the life-saving stem cells they could donate. It was a real lightbulb moment for so many.
One moment that really stuck with me was a couple who had always wanted to donate blood but couldn’t due to restrictions. When they found out they could sign up to be stem cell donors, they did it on the spot. Their excitement was unreal – they finally had a way to make a difference, and they grabbed it with both hands.
We also met someone whose family member had gone through blood cancer treatment. They felt helpless watching their loved one fight through it, but signing up as a donor gave them a way to take action. Those are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.
The TLR Foundation was created in honour of Trace Richey, who passed away following a stem cell transplant in 2015. We discovered how hard it was for some patients to find a match, especially here in Australia. That’s why we focus on recruiting more young and diverse donors – so that everyone who needs a transplant has the best chance of finding their match.
Being at Fair Day was a powerful way to continue Trace’s legacy. It was about making sure more people know they can help and that their gender identity or sexuality makes no difference to the life-saving stem cells they could donate. The LGBTQ+ community showed up in force, proving that when given the chance, they’re ready to step up and save lives.
Fair Day wasn’t just about signing up new donors – though that was amazing – it was about starting real conversations, breaking down myths about who can donate stem cells, and making sure people know that for some patients with blood cancer, a stem cell donor is their only hope. And that donor could be you.
Fair Day has opened so many doors for us. We’re already chatting with LGBTQ+ workplace networks about running donor sign-up events – so many young professionals in these groups are keen to help, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to get involved.
We’re also hoping to team up with NSW paramedics, football and rugby teams to keep spreading the word. These groups have strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community, and their support would be massive in helping us reach even more potential donors.
And of course – we’ll be back at Fair Day next year, bigger and better! The love and enthusiasm we saw this year have given us so much momentum, and we’re excited to keep building on that.
So, if you’re ever asked whether you can donate stem cells if you’re gay, bisexual, or transgender, remember—the answer is YES. If you’re between 18-35 and in good health, join the registry today. You could be someone’s only chance at a life-saving match.
Thanks to everyone who joined us at Fair Day 2025. Together, we’re saving lives.”
