Actor Olivia Colman, Patron of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, has revealed the story behind her support for the organisation.
In a new film released on World Cancer Day (4th February) Olivia shares her ‘Anthony Nolan Story’ which began after the charity found a stem cell donor for one of her close friends, named Pip.
In the film Olivia reveals:
'I was at school with Pip and she was 31 and fit and healthy, healthier than all of us and she started to get very tired. She went to the doctor, had some tests and eventually the tests showed that she had leukaemia.
'I found out about it from our friend Claire, who was another of our school bunch and so we all got back in touch at this point and we were trying to jolly Pip along but there’s not an awful lot you can do in the face of something like leukaemia.
'What Pip needed was a stem cell donor and she needed to find a perfect match. And then Anthony Nolan came into Pip’s life and the search for a stem cell donor started and pretty soon they found a donor in Australia! Which was amazing. Anthony Nolan did an amazing thing, it was suddenly hope in the darkness.
'Pip asked if I would be interested in supporting Anthony Nolan and I did some research about it and found out that it is an incredible charity and so said yes.
'Sadly my friend Pip didn’t make it, but together we can make sure more people like Pip do make it.
'Without you, there is no cure.'
Anthony Nolan’s Chief Executive, Henny Braund, says:
'It’s truly special that Olivia has shared her personal story to raise awareness of how Anthony Nolan matches people willing to donate their stem cells with people, like Pip, who need lifesaving transplants.
'It is wonderful to have Olivia’s support and I am grateful to her for sharing this heartfelt story to inspire support, which will help us continue to give hope to thousands of people every year.'