LOCAL REPORTER URGES COMMUNITY TO JOIN STEM CELL REGISTER

August 9, 2018
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A sports reporter, Warwick Lane is calling on people to potentially save lives by joining the stem cell register.
 
The 25-year-old from Newark is teaming up with Anthony Nolan in a bid to find matches for people across the world.
 
Warwick was first diagnosed with blood cancer acute myeloid leukaemia in April 2017.
 
He underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, which brought him to remission by the time he left Nottingham City Hospital five months later.
 
Following a routine blood test in July, his doctors found the leukaemia cells were once again present in his blood.
 
A further bone marrow biopsy confirmed the cancer had returned, with Warwick returning to hospital to start further treatment.
 
'The phone call to tell me they had found these cells in my blood was completely devastating because I knew how hard I had worked to beat this illness the first time around,' he said.
 
'Everything in life was falling into place perfectly, and then in a matter of moments everything had stopped.
 
'I pride myself on being one of life's positive people, and even though I know this treatment will be more gruelling and longer than the last there isn't a single part of me that isn't determined to get through this.'
 
As part of his treatment, he will have to undergo a stem cell transplant, which is hoped will prevent further recurrence of leukaemia in the future. Warwick will receive cells from a healthy person, with the same tissue type, to replace and repair his own damaged cells.
 
'My doctors have told me that I have a healthy number of matches for my bone marrow, which has taken a huge weight off my mind,' Warwick said.
 
'I consider myself one of the lucky ones. There will be people like me out there who will be hoping and praying that a match comes through.
 
'If fate has decided that I'm going to have to beat this illness for a second time, then I at least want to do it knowing I've helped and positively impacted as many people as I can.'
 
Following his initial treatment, Warwick had taken up running and was due to compete in the Newark Half Marathon this weekend for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
 
Fliers promoting Anthony Nolan will be distributed in bags at the end of the race, while the charity will be at the event in Scone and Devon Park from 8:30-12:30pm, recruiting people at the event to join the register. Anyone who can't make it can also sign up online.
 
Similar plans are being touted for the Bassingham Bash on September 1, where Warwick was also due to run.
 
'People often ask me what they can do to help,' Warwick said. "I'm not the kind of person who asks for much from others but seeing people get behind this and on the donors list would be incredibly humbling.
 
'I have made some great friendships with people in the sporting world during the years I've worked here, and it would be great to see as many individuals, clubs and teams get involved as possible.
 
'The messages of support I have received from everyone has once again been overwhelming.
 
'Offering to donate your bone marrow to help someone in need would be the best practical way to help and the biggest gift you could give.
 
'A lot of people are put off going on the donors list because they think donating is a painful experience - that is a myth and in the vast majority of cases it's as easy and painless as giving blood.'
 
Warwick is already looking at life beyond cancer and is hoping to one day compete in the likes of tennis and badminton at the British Transplant Games.
 
Alex Cupit, Online Recruitment Lead at Anthony Nolan said
 
'Warwick is bravely sharing his story to raise awareness and support the 2,000 people each year who, like him, need a stem cell transplant. I would encourage anyone who is aged between 16–30 and in good health to consider joining the Anthony Nolan register.
 
'Joining the register involves filling out a form and swabbing your cheeks. If you are a match for someone, 90% of stem cell donations take place via the bloodstream in a straightforward process.
 
'We particularly need more young men to join the register. They account for more than half of all donations but make up just 16% of the register,' said Alex.
 
At the weekend we will be recruiting people to the register at Newark Half Marathon. Be one of #WarwicksWarriors and spread the word among your friends and family.
 
Sunday 12th August 8.30am – 12.30pm
Newark Half Marathon
Scone & Devon Park
Boundary Road
Newark
NG24 4AU