A grandfather from Todmorden is set to have a potentially lifesaving stem cell transplant after a match is found.
When Chris Barker’s family and friends learned that he would need a stem cell transplant they launched a campaign – Spit4Dad – to encourage more potential donors to join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register.
They are now overjoyed to be able to announce that the 59-year-old’s transplant is due to take place in September after the search proved successful.
“We were absolutely delighted when we were told that a match had been found," Mr Barker explains, "it was a very emotional moment."
“However, we know there is still a long road ahead of us - that is something we are prepared for and we are hugely grateful to Anthony Nolan and to the donor who has given me this chance.”
Mr Barker, who works for chartered accountancy firm Baker Tilly, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in May 2011. This condition occurs when the bone marrow malfunctions and stops producing the right quality and quantity of blood cells. It caused Mr Barker to go on to develop acute myeloid leukaemia.
As a result, the father-of-three was told that he would need a stem cell transplant and we began the search for a suitable donor.
After an extensive search, Mr Barker was found a cord blood match – this means his transplant will see him receive stem cells taken from the blood of a donated umbilical cord.
Even though a match has been found for Mr Barker, his family are continuing to urge people to join our register in a bid to help other patients in desperate need.
Walsden Cricket Club asked all of its followers to change their profile picture in support of the Spit4Dad appeal, and held a Walsden v Todmorden veterans match to raise awareness of Anthony Nolan. Liverpool FC footballers including Daniel Sturridge, Robbie Fowler and Brad Jones have also demonstrated their support by tweeting about the appeal.
Mr Barker’s daughter Cathy, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had in spreading the word about the work of the Anthony Nolan register. Not only has Anthony Nolan helped our dad, but it will also help others facing the same situation.nWe are continuing to encourage people to sign up as any new donors we recruit could be a potentially lifesaving match for someone in desperate need.”
The family are holding a recruitment event on Saturday 26 July at Walsden Cricket Club, from 12pm to 5pm, where people aged 16 to 30 can sign up to our register on the spot, simply by providing a saliva sample.
Mr Barker said: “We never realised until now how important it is that people support Anthony Nolan and join the register – there are thousands of different tissue types out there, but unless you sign up to the register you could be a lifesaving match for someone without even knowing it.”
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, added: “We are delighted that a match has been found for Chris and we wish him and his family the best of luck for the future."
“While Chris’ search has been a success, there are still many other people in need of a match so we are very grateful to the family for their on-going efforts to recruit more donors. What many people don’t realise is how easy it is to join the bone marrow register – it simply involves filling in a form and providing a saliva sample. We urgently need more young men to sign up as they are the most likely to be chosen to donate but are under-represented on the register.”
People aged 16 to 30 can join the register online here, or can attend the Spit4Dad recruitment event at Walsden Cricket Club on Saturday 26 July between 12pm and 5pm.