Since we published our Destination: Cure report back in June over 6,000 of our supporters have been helping us ensure that Government listen to our recommendations about how they can work to save more lives of people with blood cancer.
And last night we came a step closer to making some of those recommendations a reality when a number of MPs, including the Minister for Life Sciences George Freeman, came together in the House of Commons to debate how we can promote further research into stem cell transplantation.
The key focus of the debate was the need to set up a network of clinical trials for stem cell transplantation, so that transplant centres and researchers can work together to carry out more trials across many different parts of the country.
This would mean that more patients would be able to access more potentially life-saving new transplant techniques and therapies.
Members highlighted the potential of stem cell research not only in saving more lives of people in need of a transplant, but also in helping medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
It was also recognised that more research is needed into the potential of stem cells taken from umbilical cords, particularly for blood cancer patients who may not be able to find a matching adult stem cell donor from our register.
David Burrowes MP and Life Sciences Minister George Freeman MP
The Life Sciences Minister also acknowledged the tireless work and efforts of the many supporters and volunteers who support Anthony Nolan’s work, and urged every young person to register as a potential stem cell donor.
With the political party conferences just a few weeks away, this debate represents a significant step forward for our Destination: Cure campaign. We’re looking forward to attending the party conferences so that we can talk to even more MPs about how they can support the recommendations of the report and help us turn our ambition of saving the lives of every transplant patient into a reality.