The number of Leicestershire bone marrow donors has risen by nearly 600% in the last 18 months. Over 4,500 Leicestershire residents have joined the bone marrow register since October 2011, compared to just 661 in the preceding 18 months.
We use our register to match potential donors to blood cancer patients in need of a lifesaving bone marrow transplant – often their last chance of survival.
One of the major contributors to the increase is the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign, a charity set up by Leicestershire Police Inspector Rik Basra and his wife Kas following Rik’s leukaemia diagnosis in 2009. Since Rik’s relapse 18 months ago, he and Kas have organised a number of community recruitment events at local universities, colleges and police stations.
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development for Anthony Nolan, says, “The numbers speak for themselves – Rik and Kas have had a huge impact on our donor recruitment in Leicestershire, and we’re incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done to raise awareness of our work and encourage people to join the register. We certainly couldn’t have achieved these numbers without them.”
“Asian blood cancer patients like Rik only have a 40% chance of finding a suitable donor, as Asian people are under-represented on the Anthony Nolan register. We need to ensure that we’re giving all patients the best possible chance of finding a donor, regardless of background, so targeting the hugely diverse Leicestershire communities remains a real priority for us – and the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign will play a huge part in helping us achieve that.”
Rik Basra, who has recently returned to work following his successful bone marrow transplant, adds, “A 600% increase is fantastic – the increase in numbers is really, really encouraging and a real testament to the hard work put in by campaign volunteers and our many community partners. We need to build on this really solid foundation and encourage even more people to sign up. Each and every person we register helps claw back a future for desperately ill patients and their families."
Anyone aged 16–30 can sign up to the Anthony Nolan register, although we are particularly looking for new male donors and those from black, Asian or other ethnic minority backgrounds. Potential donors simply need to fill in a short application form at www.anthonynolan.org and provide a small saliva sample.
For the latest data and information, visit our
Facts & Stats page