What Karaiskakio Foundation does

Karaiskakio Foundation is a Cyprus-based non-profit charitable organization founded in 1996 in memory of Andreas Karaiskakis, a 5-year-old who died of leukemia after a matching bone marrow donor could not be found. The Foundation operates the Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry — recognized as the world's largest per capita with over 200,000 registered Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot volunteer donors — along with the Public Rotary Cord Blood Registry (4,500+ stored units) and a network of four specialized diagnostic laboratories: an Immunogenetics Laboratory (continuously EFI-accredited since 2004), an eight-color Flow Cytometry Laboratory serving as Cyprus's central reference lab for hematological malignancies, a Molecular Haematology Laboratory, and a CytoGenomics Laboratory employing SKY-FISH and Microarray methodologies. The Foundation also runs the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM/KEMAK, established 2008) as its research arm and the Care for Rare Clinic for pediatric genetic disorders, and it offers a Hair Donation Program in partnership with Wigs for Kids.

Services are delivered at no cost to patients; the Foundation funds donor search, tissue typing (€40 per new donor typing), and diagnostic testing through a diversified revenue model comprising individual donations, membership subscriptions (€20/year plus €10 registration), Cyprus Ministry of Health government sponsorship, corporate sponsorships via the 'Partnership 4 Life' CSR program, and fees from specialized diagnostic services. Distribution combines a hospital blood bank collection network across Cyprus, the global Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW) integration (member since 2000), a Nicosia General Hospital on-site presence, and an online donor registration portal.

Operationally, the Foundation has facilitated over 950 bone marrow transplants across 36 countries and served 30,000+ patients with diagnostic tests. It is governed by an unpaid Board appointed by its co-founders (Cyprus Ministry of Health, Association of Friends of Karaiskakio Foundation, the Karaiskakis family, and the UK Leukemia Cancer Society), with a workforce of 11–50 employees based at its Nicosia headquarters.

Name

Karaiskakio Foundation

Legal name

Karaiskakio Foundation

Website

https://karaiskakio.org.cy

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Karaiskakio Foundation is a Cyprus-based non-profit operating the world's largest per capita bone marrow donor registry (200,000+ donors), four EFI/WMDA-accredited diagnostic laboratories, a cord blood registry, and pediatric rare disease services, serving patients with hematological malignancies at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Hematology and Bone Marrow Registry Services

NAICS

Blood and Organ Banks (621991), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Blood, Organ & Tissue Donation Organizations (BPAGACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Bone marrow registry
• Hematology diagnostic services
• Cord blood banking
• Leukemia transplant support
• Rare disease genetics

Headquarters

HQ city

Nicosia

HQ country

Cyprus

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The Foundation relies heavily on donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. Donations can be general or for specific purposes (in memory of someone, in honor of celebrations, wedding/christening gifts, etc.). A donation of €40 can finance tissue typing of a new bone marrow donor volunteer.
2. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscription of €20 with a registration fee of €10 for new members. Members have voting rights and can be candidates for the Volunteer Member Council.
3. Government Sponsorship: Government sponsorship for support of the Cyprus Donor Registry. The Ministry of Health collaborates with the Foundation on various programs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships (Partnership 4 Life): Corporate partnerships through the 'Partnership 4 Life' program where companies support the Foundation's mission as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. Sponsors provide financial support in exchange for association with the Foundation's humanitarian work.
5. Service Revenue: Income from provision of specialized diagnostic laboratory services. The Foundation aims to serve needs of patients with haematological malignancies efficiently and effectively without financial burden to patients or families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Karaiskakio Foundation operates the Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry — the world's largest per capita with over 200,000 registered donors — along with a Public Cord Blood Registry, four EFI/WMDA-accredited diagnostic laboratories (Immunogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Haematology, CytoGenomics), the Care for Rare Clinic for pediatric genetic disorders, and the CSHM research center. All donor search, tissue typing, and diagnostic services are provided to patients free of charge, funded by donations, government sponsorship, corporate partnerships, and membership fees.

Product overview

Karaiskakio Foundation is a non-profit organization operating as a comprehensive healthcare center focused on haematological malignancies and related diseases. The foundation operates its core services through the Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry (one of the world's largest per capita registries with over 200,000 donors), the Cyprus Rotary Cord Blood Registry, and a network of four specialized diagnostic laboratories (Immunogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Haematology, and CytoGenomics). The foundation also conducts research through its Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM/KEMAK), operates the Care for Rare Clinic for pediatric genetic disorders, and offers community services including a hair donation program and online donation platform. Services are provided free of charge to patients, with the foundation covering all costs for donor searches and laboratory testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry Operates the world's largest per capita bone marrow donor registry with over 200,000 registered Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot volunteer donors; accredited by WMDA since 2008 and connected to Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. Facilitates donor searches for patients with leukemia and other hematological malignancies free of charge.
• Cyprus Rotary Cord Blood Registry Public cord blood registry established in collaboration with the Cyprus Ministry of Health and ten Rotary Clubs, storing over 4,500 cord blood units as an alternative stem cell source for transplant patients. Currently focuses on directed and autologous donations as new public storage is no longer accepted.
• Immunogenetics Laboratory Services EFI-accredited laboratory since 2004 providing tissue typing and HLA compatibility testing for bone marrow donor matching. Provides state-of-the-art immunogenetics testing to support transplant matching for patients with hematological malignancies.
• Flow Cytometry Laboratory Services Eight-color flow cytometry laboratory serving as the central reference laboratory for hematological malignancies diagnostics in Cyprus. Responsible for diagnosis and monitoring of disease burden in leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers.
• Molecular Haematology Laboratory Services Specialized molecular testing for detection of recurrent chromosomal aberrations and gene mutations affecting prognosis of leukemias. Includes thrombophilia and hemophilia tests, supporting detailed evaluation of therapy options and timely detection of disease relapse.
• CytoGenomics Laboratory Services Combines classical cytogenetics and modern cytogenomics methodologies including SKY-FISH and Microarray for studying hematological malignancies. Supports diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of blood cancers.
• Care for Rare Clinic Integrated interdisciplinary centre for children and families with rare diseases and genetic disorders, providing holistic disease management and pediatric genetic testing services. Has supported more than 30,000 patients with specialized diagnostics.
• Hair Donation Program Community program collecting hair donations in partnership with Wigs for Kids to support children who have lost their hair due to leukemia, cancer, or other disease treatments.
• Online Donation Platform Digital donation platform enabling individuals and organizations to contribute financially to support the Foundation's activities and patient services. A donation of €40 can finance the tissue typing of one new bone marrow donor volunteer.
• Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM/KEMAK) Non-profit research arm of the Foundation established in 2008, conducting studies on hematological malignancies in collaboration with University of Cyprus, University of Cambridge, University of Surrey, University of Athens, and University of Patras.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 950 life-saving bone marrow transplants facilitated across 36 countries and 5 continents
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Allwyn CypruscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2026Allwyn Cyprus unveiled the 'Allwyn Care' healthcare initiative in collaboration with Karaiskakio Foundation and other healthcare organizations including PASYKAF, Europa Donna Cyprus, and Europa Uomo Cyprus. The program supports cancer awareness, early diagnosis, bone marrow donor registry development, and palliative care services, reaching over 250,000 people through awareness campaigns.
• EurolifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2025Eurolife and Karaiskakio Foundation formalized a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Foundation's research and educational work while promoting volunteerism and social contribution among Cyprus' younger generation. The collaboration falls within Eurolife's Corporate Social Responsibility framework, reflecting shared values of supporting life, health, and hope.
• Lexus Cycling Dream TeamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2025The Lexus Cycling Dream Team, a group of Cypriot business executives passionate about cycling and philanthropy, organized the 'Ride of Love 2025' charity cycling event covering 175 kilometers across Cyprus, supporting the Childhood Cancer Diagnostic and Investigation Centre of the Karaiskakio Foundation.
• KINTO EuropeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 October 2025KINTO Europe (Toyota Motor Europe's subsidiary) served as Mobility Partner for the 'Ride of Love 2025' cycling event supporting Karaiskakio Foundation.
• Bank of CyprusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBank of Cyprus is listed as a partner supporting the Foundation's mission.
• OPAP CyprusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOPAP Cyprus is listed as a partner supporting the Foundation's charitable mission.
• Leukemia Cancer Society, UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the co-founders of Karaiskakio Foundation. Dedicated to ensuring that more people with blood cancer survive with the best possible quality of life, and that families and carers get the support they need. Money raised is devoted to recruitment of volunteer bone marrow donors, research, education, and patient care.
• Kemal Saracoglu AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish Cypriot NGO that actively supports the Karaiskakio Foundation in contacting donors and serves as a contact point to help Turkish Cypriot patients and physicians access the services of the Foundation. Represents the bi-communal nature of the Cyprus Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
• World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational voluntary network of donor registries and cord blood banks promoting global cooperation in the search for and provision of high quality haematopoietic stem cells. Karaiskakio Foundation has been a member since 2000 and the Cyprus registry was one of the first in the world to be accredited by the agency.
• Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide (BMDW)coreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborative effort of stem cell donor registries and cord blood banks providing centralized information on HLA phenotypes and other relevant data of unrelated stem cell donors. All donors in the Cyprus registry are listed in BMDW, enabling patients from around the world to locate matching donors.
• European Federation of Immunogenetics (EFI)coreTechnology or IntegrationOrganization aiming towards the development of Immunogenetics as a subspecialty of laboratory medicine by promoting research and education. The Immunogenetics laboratory of Karaiskakio Foundation has been accredited by EFI since 2004.
• European Leukemia NetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of physicians, scientists and patients funded by the European Union with interest in the field of leukemia. Aims to improve treatment and knowledge around leukemia in Europe. Karaiskakio Foundation has been an active member since 2008.
• Cyprus Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the Ministry to establish the Public Rotary Cord Blood Registry in 2005 and provides ongoing support for bone marrow donor registry operations.
• Cyprus Gynaecological Obstetrics SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the Foundation to establish the Public Cord Blood Registry in 2005.
• University of CyprusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM) for research purposes.
• University of CambridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM) for research purposes.
• University of SurreyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM) for research purposes.
• University of AthensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM) for research purposes.
• University of PatrasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies (CSHM) for research purposes.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Blood Services: Canada's national blood operator with OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network. Comparable as a non-profit donor registry with HLA typing, cord blood banking, and broader healthcare services beyond what Karaiskakio offers.
• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT): UK's national blood, organ, and stem cell donation service with the British Bone Marrow Registry. Comparable as a large-scale donor registry with diagnostic capabilities and government affiliation.

Direct peers

• Be The Match (National Marrow Donor Program): Operates the largest bone marrow donor registry in the United States with over 9 million potential donors and is WMDA-accredited. Directly comparable to Karaiskakio as a national bone marrow donor registry with diagnostic facilities and patient services.
• Anthony Nolan: UK-based charity operating the world's first bone marrow donor registry with over 900,000 donors. Directly comparable as a non-profit donor registry with research, donor recruitment, and transplantation services.
• Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Israeli non-profit operating one of the largest bone marrow donor registries globally with over 1 million donors. Comparable to Karaiskakio as a non-profit donor registry with international matching capabilities.
• DKMS: German-based global bone marrow donor registry with over 10 million registered donors. Comparable to Karaiskakio as a non-profit international donor registry with WMDA accreditation and donor recruitment focus.
• Héma-Québec: Canadian provincial blood and stem cell operator managing donor registries, cord blood banking, and specialized diagnostic labs. Comparable to Karaiskakio's combination of donor registry, cord blood banking, and diagnostic services.
• Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation: US-based non-profit operating an accredited bone marrow and stem cell donor registry with donor recruitment and transplant facilitation services. Closely comparable to Karaiskakio in mission and operating model.

Regional players

• Eurocord: European-based cord blood bank network headquartered in Paris. Comparable to Karaiskakio's cord blood registry operations with similar focus on hematopoietic stem cell sourcing for transplantation.

Others

• Federation of European Cancer Societies (FECS) - Leukemia Section: European-level cancer and leukemia research/policy organization. Comparable to Karaiskakio's research and policy engagement activities through the Center for the Study of Haematological Malignancies and European Leukemia Net membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/karaiskakio
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/18963654519
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karaiskakiofoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Karaiskakio Foundation