We're delighted to announce that we've joined forces with Everyone Active to save the lives of more seriously ill people.
During the partnership, Everyone Active - which manages 102 leisure centres across the country – will hold five bone marrow donor recruitment events at which potential donors will be able to join the Anthony Nolan register.
Everyone Active is also aiming to raise £100,000 to support our lifesaving work running the UK’s bone marrow donor register.
The partnership has been inspired by Chris Spencer, from Abridge in Essex, who is General Manager at Everyone Active’s Hornchurch Sports Centre. Chris, 49, had a lifesaving bone marrow transplant facilitated by Anthony Nolan after developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2013.
Chris and friends taking part in the Great Thames Row to raise money for us
He said: “People my age grew up with the inspirational story of Anthony Nolan, the little boy who needed to find a bone marrow donor. But younger people who are the next generation of lifesavers missed this history and aren’t necessarily aware of the importance of bone marrow donation.
“It’s important that we raise awareness for every person who needs a bone marrow transplant. Without a steady stream of young people joining the register, other people like me may not be given a second chance at life.”
Donor recruitment events at Everyone Active
During the partnership, donor recruitment events will take place at Everyone Active facilities in Acton in London, Basildon and Hornchurch in Essex, Fareham in Hampshire, and St Albans in Hertfordshire in late January and early February. It is hoped that these will lead to at least 500 new potential donors joining the Anthony Nolan register.
Staff and clients at Everyone Active will also be fundraising for Anthony Nolan. They hope to raise at least £100,000 through a range of activities including team challenges, raffles, auctions and fancy dress fitness classes.
Lynsey Dickson, Anthony Nolan’s Regional Register Development Manager for London, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Everyone Active and are very grateful to Chris Spencer for inspiring the partnership.
“The people recruited to the Anthony Nolan register during this partnership will go on to be the lifesavers of the future and the money Everyone Active raises will help us to continue our vital work.”
Alison Ford, Regional Sales and Business Manager at Everyone Active, said: “Anthony Nolan is such an important, worthwhile cause. For thousands of people with blood cancers, their only hope of survival is a donation of healthy stem cells, we believe that active people using our centres are the ideal people to join the Anthony Nolan register and help save lives.
“Everyone Active are only too pleased to do our bit to raise awareness and will continue to support the charity in 2015 and beyond not only by increasing people on the register but by also raising as much money as possible through different fund raising events.”
Where to find an Everyone Active recruitment event
All Everyone Active recruitment events will run between 5-8.30pm:
• 21st January – Hornchurch Sports Centre
• 20th January – Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, St Albans
• 28th January – Fareham Leisure Centre
• 2nd February – Acton Centre
• 4th February – Basildon Sporting Village
If you're aged between 16–30 please drop in and have a chat to one of the team about becoming a lifesaver. If you can’t make the events then you can register online, click the button below:
