Carrying life at 35,000 feet: The story of a stem cell On-Board Courier

In the world of logistics and aviation, most people think of cargo as boxes, parcels, or mail. Few realise that sometimes, what travels by air is literally life itself. This is the world of the On-Board Courier (OBC), a highly trained professional who personally carries sensitive or urgent shipments on flights, ensuring they reach their destination safely and on time.

What is an On-Board Courier
An On-Board Courier, often referred to simply as an OBC, is more than a traveller. Unlike standard couriers who send parcels through regular air freight channels, OBCs hand-carry their shipments. They travel with the cargo, whether it is documents that cannot go through X-ray, prototypes of high-tech devices, or medical products that must not be delayed.

The concept of OBCs began decades ago, mainly to support urgent business and medical needs. Before the internet and instant courier services, companies relied on airmates to personally transport sensitive documents or parts needed to prevent production delays. Over time, the role expanded to include life-critical shipments such as blood plasma, stem cells, and bone marrow, which require immediate delivery and careful handling.

OBCs must navigate airports, customs, and flight schedules while ensuring their cargo remains secure and intact. Their job is a mix of precision logistics, quick thinking, and sometimes a fair bit of running through terminals.

The stem cell courier: A specialised role
One of the most crucial and highly specialised areas of OBC work today is stem cell courier services. When a patient needs a highly compatible donor for a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, speed is critical. The patient’s preparation for transplantation begins as soon as the cells are collected, meaning the courier’s timely arrival can make the difference between life and death.

Companies like time:matters, part of the Lufthansa Group, have been providing these services since 2009. Stem cell OBCs are trained and selected with far more scrutiny than classical couriers. Skills, local knowledge, languages, visas, and prior experience with stress-filled aviation operations all play a role. Zero-error tolerance is the standard. The job is not just about moving cargo; it is about saving lives.

Rainer Held: A courier with purpose
Among this elite group of couriers is Rainer Held. Unlike most people in logistics, Rainer did not stumble into this career for money or convenience. His journey began with a deeply personal experience.

Years ago, Held came into contact with DKMS, a global stem cell donor organisation, while searching for a donor for a sick child in his hometown. He was struck by the life-changing work they did. Later, when his son began an apprenticeship at time:matters, Held learned about the specialised stem cell courier role. Already approaching early retirement, he saw an opportunity to do something meaningful. He applied, was accepted, and has been part of this life-saving chain ever since.

“I wanted to do something that mattered,” Held explains. “Something that helped people directly.”

A day in the life
Unlike a standard courier, Held’s work begins long before he boards a plane. Each day, he checks the missions published by the Stem Cell Team and applies for those suitable for him. Once selected, he immediately studies flight schedules, accommodation options, and local transport connections. His planning is meticulous because every detail matters.

“These are living cells,” he says. “Human lives are usually at stake. Every connection, every minute counts.”

The team at time: matters supports him at every step, constantly monitoring flights, customs, and even the temperature of the cells. They plan every leg twice, so that if something goes wrong, an alternative is already in place.

The stress of life-critical transport
Held has handled nearly 200 missions, each one demanding calm under pressure. Airport security is often the first test. Stem cells cannot go through X-ray machines or be checked in. Held approaches security proactively, explaining the cargo’s importance. So far, there have been no major issues — and occasionally, crew have even helped speed up the process.

“The pilot was once allowed to land early,” Held recalls, “because the cabin crew knew how urgent it was.”

Flight connections can also be challenging. In large airports, especially in the United States, couriers like Held sometimes have to sprint across terminals to make connecting flights. Despite the pressure, he trusts the system. Temperature control is monitored constantly through validated cooling boxes and data loggers, and backup plans are always in place.

Moments that matter
While every mission carries weight, some are deeply emotional. This year, Held remembers a particularly moving delivery for a child in the United States. It was the child’s birthday, and the clinic staff told him the cells he carried were the best birthday present ever.

“It’s about a whole life that still lies ahead of them,” he says quietly. “Moments like that make everything worth it.”

Life as an OBC
Held travels about twice a month, mostly to the USA and Europe. By the end of the year, he will have visited roughly 40 airports. Almost every journey involves stress, but the awareness of what is at stake helps him cope. His family understands the sudden calls, the hours, and the pressure.

“People often don’t realise how important stem cells are,” he says. “When they do, they are usually very impressed. Crew and passengers make way for me so I can leave quickly, which shows the respect this role commands.”

Looking ahead
Technology may change parts of the process in the future, Held believes, but the human element remains vital. Even if stem cells can one day be cultivated in labs, the courier’s skill, judgement, and adaptability cannot be replaced. He is sceptical about drones taking over this role entirely.

“These products are extremely sensitive,” he says. “I don’t think a drone could replace a courier.”

More than logistics
Held is part of a system that has carried thousands of stem cell shipments internationally since 2009. But beyond the logistics, it is a deeply human job which connects donors with patients, across borders and time zones.

“When I can help with this,” Held says, “I am always grateful.”

For Rainer Held, every boarding pass carries more than a destination. It carries hope, life, and possibility.