Get involved

Get involved: Tips on how to get started with a patient appeal

Getting involved in a patient appeal

Supporting a patient appeal can make a lifesaving difference by helping to find a matching stem cell donor and raising essential funds for Anthony Nolan’s work.
Whether you’re spreading the word, hosting events, or sharing your story, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

How We Can Help:

  • Recruiting Stem Cell Donors – Whether through schools, universities, workplaces, or community groups, our team can provide materials and guidance to help you spread the word.
  • Fundraising Support – Every pound raised helps us grow the register and save more lives. Our fundraising team is always on hand with advice and resources.
  • Sharing Your Story – Our communications team can help you get the word out through the media and social platforms.

Get in touch at register.support@anthonynolan.org or call us on 0207 424 1300, and we’ll find the best way to support your appeal.

Top Tips for raising awareness on social media

Social media is a powerful way to amplify your message and reach new audiences. Here are some tips to help you maximize impact across different platforms.

General Social Media Tips

  • Make It Personal – Share why starting the appeal is important to you. People connect with real stories.
  • Use Engaging Visuals – Photos and videos grab attention. Live videos and personal messages often perform best. Not everyone will want to share photos or videos, so just make sure first.
  • Encourage Interaction – Ask people to comment, share, and tag others. More engagement with what you share means it will reach more people.
  • Stay Consistent – Regular updates will keep your appeal front of mind and on people’s feeds.
  • Use Hashtags – Hashtags help new people discover your posts. Consider #MatchFor[Name], #AnthonyNolan, #Jointheregister, and #StemCellDonation.

Facebook & Instagram

  • Create a Page or Group – A dedicated space makes it easy for people to follow updates and get involved.
  • Post Stories & Reels – Wherever you feel comfortable to do so, share short, engaging video content performs well on Instagram and Facebook.
  • Tag Anthony Nolan - (Facebook: @AnthonyNolan) (Instagram: @anthonynolancharity) & Use Hashtags – This helps us see and support your posts.
  • Go Live – Live videos allow you to share real-time updates, thank supporters, and answer questions.
  • Share Milestones – Celebrate registrations, donations, and progress to keep momentum going.

X ( formerly Twitter)

  • Keep It Short & Engaging – X is fast-moving, so concise messages work best.
  • Use Visuals – Posts with images or short videos tend to perform better.
  • Tag Anthony Nolan (@AnthonyNolan) & Celebrities – If someone with a large following shares your post, it can reach thousands.
  • Join Conversations – Engage with relevant hashtags and trending topics to widen your reach.

Whatsapp & Community groups

  • Direct & Personal – A WhatsApp message to friends and family can encourage sign-ups and donations.
  • Local Community Groups – Many areas have Facebook or Nextdoor groups where you can share your appeal.
  • Create a Broadcast List – Send updates to supporters without starting a group chat.

Working together

We’re here to help you make your appeal as effective as possible.

Reach out to us for support, guidance, and resources.

Email: register.support@anthonynolan.org
Telephone: 0207 424 1300