A group of 4 people smiling at the camera in front of 2 Christmas trees.

Ambassadors and celebrity supporters

Our high-profile supporters work with us to encourage more people to join the stem cell register and help raise awareness and funds, giving more people in desperate need of a stem cell transplant another chance to live. We’re incredibly grateful for their support. Their dedication and involvement in our work have a truly lifesaving impact.

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Our patron

Olivia Colman CBE

Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman CBE became our patron in 2018 after losing a close friend to leukaemia.

Olivia actively champions Anthony Nolan through voiceovers, speeches, video content and by attending events such as our annual Christmas carol concert. Most recently, she helped to promote our partnership with Omaze.

A woman with short brown curly hair and a white blouse is stood in a sunny garden. She is wearing an Anthony Nolan pin.
Olivia Colman CBE

I got involved because they once helped a dear friend of mine. She told me about Anthony Nolan and I’ve been telling everyone about them ever since.

Our patron, Olivia Colman CBE

Our celebrity ambassadors

Our high-profile supporters work with us to encourage more people to join the stem cell register and help raise awareness and funds, giving more people with blood cancer a second chance at life.

Kellie Shirley

Actor Kellie Shirley donated her three children's cord blood after giving birth in King’s College Hospital in London, one of our five cord collection centres. 

She works tirelessly to support Anthony Nolan’s lifesaving work – spreading the word on social media, presenting at events and sharing her story through press interviews, all to help raise vital awareness. Kellie has also run the London marathon with Team AN.

A photo of a woman in a pink button up top is smiling at the camera. Behind her is a Christmas tree.
Kellie at the 2025 Christmas carol concert

We decided to donate our children's cord blood to Anthony Nolan. It would have otherwise been chucked away! I recommend any mothers-to-be to look into doing the same. It’s a gorgeous thing to do for a stranger in need.

Kellie Shirley

Joe Crowley

TV presenter Joe Crowley is sadly all too familiar with blood cancer, having lost his father to multiple myeloma.

He now passionately supports Anthony Nolan and regularly hosts our flagship events, including our annual Christmas carol concert and the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards (ANSAs), helping to celebrate lifesaving achievements and inspire more people to support our work.

A man in a suit and tie is stood smiling at the camera. He is in front of a backdrop of Anthony Nolan logos.
Joe at the 2025 Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards

Blood cancer has touched my family so I fully appreciate the vital work Anthony Nolan does saving lives and - wonderfully - giving so many of us the chance to make the ultimate difference for someone in need.

Joe Crowley

Our life president: Simon Dyson MBE

Simon Dyson was Chair of Anthony Nolan for 30 years and retired in December 2017 at which time he was awarded the honour of Life President.

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Get in touch

If you have a question or a connection, we'd love to hear from you