Erin Seils|
Last week, pupils and teachers between 16 and 30 were given the opportunity to save a life. After simply giving a saliva sample, they could now potentially cure someone with blood cancer.
In 1974, Shirley Nolan decided to start a bone marrow register for unrelated donors in the hopes of finding a match for her 3 year old son and others whose only chance of survival relied on strangers willing to donate. The first successful unrelated donor transplant had occurred just one year earlier in 1973 with Simon Bostic. While more people contiued to add their names to the register during the 70s, unfortunately, Anthony Nolan died at the age of 8 in 1979.
The register has continued to grow over the years and now an astounding 620,885 people have joined the UK register and 68,658 donors have been recruited in the last year alone.(https://www.anthonynolan.org/)
Can you sign up?
If you:
- are between the age of 16 and 30
- weigh more than 7st12 (50 Kg)
- have a BMI less than 40
- are in good health
you can sign up.
However, if you do not meet all of the criteria there is no need to worry. There are plenty of other ways you can help including volunteering and fundraising. Click here to find out more.
How do you sign up?
First of all you have to fill in a form with some of your details to confirm you are eligible to register. If you didn’t manage to get your form handed in last week at school, you can sign up online anytime at www.anthonynolan.org.
The journey begins with a saliva sample; this leads to finding out if you are a match for any patient with blood cancer or a blood disorder. Again, if you didn’t get a saliva sample taken last week, when you apply online a “spit kit” will automatically be sent to you. You simply spit in a tube and send it back to be tested.
What happens if you are a match?
If you are a match, you will be asked to donate stem cells either through bone marrow or blood.
90% of those on the register donate their stem cells through their blood by a process called peripheral blood stem cell collection. This is actually a very simple process comparable to donating blood.
10% donate their stem cells through bone marrow. This involves having an operation while under general anaesthetic. A needle and syringe are used to remove bone marrow from your pelvis.
It is a common misconception that bone marrow donation is painful. While you may feel a little tired and bruised after the procedure, you will feel nothing during the operation as you will be under general anaesthetic.
Liam, a bone marrow donor spoke about his experience:
“I’ve felt worse after a few bruising encounters on the football pitch. Within a week of the donation, I was back on my feet and feeling much better; all in all, it’s a very small price to pay for what could be achieved.”
If you are interested in finding out more about the process visit the Anthony Nolan Facebook page for donors’ personal experiences.
Both methods of donation involve travelling to London or Sheffield. Anthony Nolan encourage you to bring a friend or family member with you for the duration of your stay and will pay for both of your travel and accommodation costs.
The video below explains all you need to know for both methods of donation.
If you have any more queries about either process or other ways you could help to save the life of someone with blood cancer visit www.anthonynolan.org
Source: https://www.anthonynolan.org/
