Laura Oakley saved a stranger’s life by donating her bone marrow in June 2012 and is now encouraging more people to sign up as donors.
Laura, 27, says, ‘I was so excited when I got a call from Anthony Nolan to say that I was a match for someone; it was overwhelming and just an amazing feeling. The donation procedure was no problem at all – it couldn’t be easier.’
Blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan uses its register to match potential bone marrow donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a bone marrow (or stem cell) transplant.
‘I received a letter from my recipient saying that they were doing really well and suddenly what I had done really hit me. When I opened the letter, I just burst into tears, it was really emotional.’
Laura, who is originally from Bournemouth, was inspired to join the university volunteering group Surrey Marrow. In the last year, Surrey Marrow has recruited over 140 students to the Anthony Nolan register.
Laura adds, ‘Volunteering to recruit new donors has been amazing. To anyone that’s thinking about joining the register, I just tell them to do it – donating is one of the most incredible things that I’ve done – I gave one day of my life and I have given someone a second chance at theirs. I can’t imagine any other situation where you could say that!’
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says, ‘Laura has done an incredibly selfless thing in donating her bone marrow to a complete stranger. The fact that Laura has been inspired to volunteer and recruit more people to the bone marrow register is just incredible. We’re urging all young people to think like Laura and join the bone marrow register – one day you could save someone’s life.'