Celebrating the 1,261 potential lifesavers in Nuneaton, Arley & Hartshill

Local MP Marcus Jones joined a cross-party Parliamentary event on Tuesday 18th July to celebrate the number of people who are registered as stem cell donors.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation, supported by blood cancer charity and stem cell register Anthony Nolan, held the event to mark the progress made by the transplant community in the past year.

In Nuneaton the number of potential stem cell donors registered with Anthony Nolan is 1,261. 42% of these donors are male, and the average age is 40. That puts Nuneaton in the top 25% of communities registering as potential donors and the town ranks 128th out of 650 on the Anthony Nolan register

In total, 645,000 people in the UK are on the Anthony Nolan register, any of whom could be a match for someone with blood cancer and asked to donate their stem cells to give a patient a second chance of life.

Now, Marcus is encouraging more people from Nuneaton, particularly men aged 16-30 and people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, to register as stem cell donors and make sure that a match is available for everyone in need of a transplant. While anyone on the register could be a match for someone with blood cancer, men aged 16-30 are most likely to be asked to donate, and are currently underrepresented on the register. There is also a shortage of donors from non-white and mixed-race backgrounds.

Marcus Jones MP said: “I am very proud that Nuneaton has 1,261 people who have selflessly volunteered to give someone a second chance at life. Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.

“I strongly hope that more people from Nuneaton will be inspired to sign up and show that together, our communities can provide a cure for blood cancer.”

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate the achievements the transplant community has made in the past year, and we’re particularly grateful to all the registered donors in Nuneaton for helping us in our goal of saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.

“Anthony Nolan’s pioneering research, dedicated nurses and patient-focused services mean we have increased the support patients receive at every stage of their transplant journey – but without the contribution of selfless donors, our vital work would be impossible.”

For more information about the All Party Parliamentary Group for Stem Cell Transplantation, visit http://www.appg-stemcell.org.uk/

For more information about Anthony Nolan, visit www.anthonynolan.org