Over 10,000 people have signed up to become potential stem cell donors, in support of a six-year-old who desperately needs a transplant to save his life.
Marley Nicholls, from Newport, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder affecting the bone marrow. His family have been told that his best chance of survival is a stem cell transplant from a matching stranger.
After it was revealed that Marley’s younger brother George, 4, wasn’t a suitable match, we sprang into action and are now searching for a matching donor.
Marley’s family, who have been told that he has no matches on the UK or global stem cell registers, have launched a desperate appeal, called ‘Marrow for Marley’, for people to sign up as potential stem cell donors – with over 10,000 people signing up so far.
Marley’s mum, Shaney Truman, who describes him as ‘the life and soul of the party’, said: ‘When Marley was diagnosed it felt like a grenade had been dropped on our family.
‘We’re trying to remain hopeful. It’s a race against time now – there’s got to be someone out there who can be a match for Marley’.
Karen Archer, Regional Development Manager for Wales, said: ‘We are doing everything we can to support Marley and his family in their search for a lifesaving stem cell donor. Every day, five people, like Marley, will start their search for a matching stranger who might save their life.
‘Every single person who signs up has the potential to help save someone like Marley, and it’s incredible that over 10,000 people have signed up to the Anthony Nolan register since his appeal was launched. However, we urgently need more people to sign up to help people, like Marley, who are in desperate need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant'.
Anthony Nolan recruits people aged 16–30 to the stem cell register as younger people are more likely to be chosen to donate. It also costs £40 to recruit each potential donor to the register, so Anthony Nolan relies on financial support.
To find about more about joining the register visit anthonynolan.org/savealife