Following two years of unprecedented stem cell donor registration campaigns, resulting in tens of thousands of potentially lifesaving registrations, Team Margot Foundation, a charity started in the memory of Margot Martini, announces the launch of an International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness day.
Team Margot Foundation was established as a global campaigner dedicated to raising awareness about the need for more potential bone marrow / stem cell donors. The announcement of an International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness day comes on the second anniversary of toddler Margot Martini being diagnosed with blood cancer.
The day is another step towards achieving Team Margot Foundation’s initial goal of having 2.5 million people* (4% of the population) on the UK stem cell register, with organisers asking participants to:
- Please join the movement & visit teammargot.com
- Post your photograph & share on social media with the following hashtag: #Register4Margot to show your support
- But most importantly, please register as a potential stem cell / bone marrow donor ! If you're aged 16–30, you can join the Anthony Nolan register here.
Blood Cancer is in the top 10 most common causes of cancer death in the UK and the rest of the world. The chances of patient survival are greatly increased if a matching stem cell or bone marrow donor is found. Right now, there are over 37,000 people worldwide in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant (including 2,000 in the UK).
One of our Spit-kit Social volunteers with a Team Margot wristband
On average, only 60% of those seeking a "perfect" matching donor will ever find one. The odds fall to just 21% if the patient has a mixed ethnic background or is from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) community. Therefore Team Margot wish to encourage people from ethnic communities and also those who have mixed heritage to join a register, because when searching for a tissue type match, race and ethnicity matters.
The registration process differs depending on where you live in the world, but regardless of the location it is a quick and one-time action. The search for matching donors is global in nature, as once registered, the data on any potential donor can be accessed by search teams from anywhere in the world and be a potential life saver for someone in need.
Team Margot is a signpost on how to register and don’t mind how people choose to register, just that they do. They ask the 26,022,317 people globally who have already joined to encourage Just One More to do the same !
Victoria Martini, Margot’s mother said: “This could happen to anybody. If you’d be prepared to take a bone marrow transplant, or any other type of organ donation or blood donation, then I feel that people should be prepared to give also… I’d like people to think about that.”
*There are only 1 million people currently registered (c.1.6%).
How you can help
If you're aged 16–30 and in good health, join our register by clicking on the button below:
If you're aged over 30, you can still join the combined registry, either via NHS Blood and Transplant or online with Delete Blood Cancer. Visit www.teammargot.com to find out more.