The patient appeals run by people who need a stem cell transplant – and by their families and friends – are helping to save the lives of strangers around the world, often months or many years later.
New figures from Anthony Nolan show that many people who joined the register as a result of recent patient appeals have since come up as a match for a stranger and have now made potentially life-saving donations.
How the #Spit4Mum appeal saved lives
For example, the data shows that five people who joined the Anthony Nolan bone marrow donor register during the #Spit4Mum appeal have already gone on to donate their stem cells to other people in desperate need of a transplant.
These people all signed up to the register during the donor recruitment campaign run by Jonni and Caroline Berger when their mother, Sharon Berger, then 61, needed a stem cell transplant.
Jonni Berger, 35, from Finchley, north London, said: “Our family are thrilled that #Spit4Mum has been so successful and that in such a short space of time, five families, devastated by life-threatening illnesses, have been given a second chance in life, it just goes to show that this really works.”
Caroline Berger, 33, from Oxford, added: “It’s a real tribute to all of the supporters of #Spit4Mum that there is already such a successful legacy of the campaign which has once again beaten the odds and found five donors for patients in need.”
Caroline, Sharon, and Jonni Berger at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards
And the ripple effect of these life-changing appeals doesn’t stop there.
Rik's lifesaving appeal
A recent recruitment event was also made extra-special for Rik Basra from Leicester, who had a transplant three years ago, when he met a donor who had joined the Anthony Nolan register after hearing about his appeal.
Rik and Kas Basra
Rik met Aman Sahota who signed up in December 2011 and who was shortly to donate stem cells.
Rik said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce Aman Sahota, who registered with us on December 11, 2011, during my search for a donor, will be donating his stem cells shortly to help save a life.
“Back in 2011 that particular drive meant everything to my family and friends as we were desperately searching for a donor for me. It is so emotional for us that Aman has come up as a match from that drive. He is a hero it was an absolute pleasure to meet him.”
Martin Solomon's March4Martin appeal
The Solomon family from Manchester, who launched an appeal for their son Martin, have also recently heard about a donor who joined the Anthony Nolan register as a result of their Match4Martin appeal.
Alan Dolan joined the register in the hope of being a match for Martin Solomon and has recently donated stem cells to another patient.
Paula Solomon says this news means that family are now aware of about 11 people who have donated after signing up as result of their appeal.
The Solomon family
These results are particularly fantastic, as on average only one in 1,200 people who join the register will come up as a match and go on to donate their stem cells.
You could help save lives
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, said: “What these people and countless others have achieved through their appeals is truly impressive and we are very grateful to them for so successfully increasing awareness of our work, while they were going through so much themselves
“What their stories show us is that one person’s appeal for a donor could find a match for anyone – these local patient appeals change lives all over the world.
“It is really important that families continue to run these appeals as, while they may not directly find their own match, they could find a match for someone else and, in turn, someone else’s appeal could find a donor for them.”
Find out more about running an online patient appeal here
If you're aged 16–30, join the register by clicking on the button below:
