Everyone at Anthony Nolan was shocked to hear the news that cancer patient Alice Pyne had passed away on Saturday 12th January. Since she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma four years ago, Alice and her family have campaigned to raise awareness of bone marrow donation and to encourage people to sign up as bone marrow donors.
Henny Braund, Chief Executive, says, “Everyone at Anthony Nolan is sorry to hear that Alice has passed away. She was a phenomenal young woman who repeatedly put her own problems aside to help others in need. She achieved so much during her short life, but her real legacy lies in the tens of thousands of people who have joined bone marrow registers all round the world - people who will help us to cure blood cancer for good.
When I met Alice I found a charming, funny, sensitive, beautiful girl. But most of all I was struck by her determination. She was determined to enjoy her life, to defy her prognosis and to help others. This uncommon strength drove her to help us recruit donors to our register and to set up her own charity, Alice's Escapes, to help other young people.
To Vicky, Simon and Milly, to Alice's wider family and friends, we really wish we could do or say something, anything at all, to be of comfort. Maybe that's just not possible, but there is something we do know; every once in a while someone will receive a transplant from a donor who was inspired by Alice to join the register. For years into the future other people's lives will be saved because of the determination of this special young woman.”
After the news broke on social media, nearly 4,500 people visited the Anthony Nolan website on Sunday, up from an average of 500.
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