Charity looks for more bone marrow donors in Lincoln
The Anthony Nolan charity is searching for more local heroes in Lincoln to join their bone marrow register in the fight against blood cancer.
The charity has revealed that there are more than 599 people willing to donate their stem cells or bone marrow in Lincoln to save the life of a stranger.
More than 525,000 people are currently on the Anthony Nolan register and the average per parliamentary constituency is 796.
Lincoln is currently ranked 436 nationally by the number of donors registered, with 2680 at the top in Finchley and Golders Green.
City MP Karl McCartney is backing the charity’s campaign and is encouraging more people to join the register in Lincoln.
He said: “I have 599 heroes on the register here in Lincoln, but the challenge continues. I’m hunting for more crusaders to sign up today, so we can fight blood cancer together.
“It is something truly heroic to give a stranger a second chance at life. This is why I’m proud to champion this cause to my constituents.”
Anthony Nolan, now in its 40th anniversary year, was the world’s first bone marrow register.
The blood cancer charity has been saving lives for four decades by matching remarkable people willing to donate their bone marrow to patients in desperate need of a transplant.
Two thirds of UK patients will not find a matching donor from within their families; instead they turn to Anthony Nolan to find them an unrelated donor.
But the charity can currently only find a match for around half of those who to come to them in need, and they still need more people to come forward.
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says: “Donating is an incredibly selfless thing to do and will give someone with blood cancer their best chance at survival. What many people don’t realise is that it is also surprisingly simple.”
To join the Anthony Nolan register you must be 16-30 and in good health. It involves filling out an online form and spitting into a tube.
You can get involved in Anthony Nolan fundraising activities and events in the Lincoln area by visiting the Lincoln Friends of Anthony Nolan Facebook page.
