ISLANDERS are being urged to sign up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register as the fundraising and awareness group supporting it celebrates 30 years of helping to save lives.
Kate Baigent, of the Jersey Friends of Anthony Nolan, said that those who joined could ultimately be “the difference between life and death” for people awaiting stem cell transplants.
The Jersey Friends group supports the work of Anthony Nolan, a UK charity with a register that matches potential donors to patients with blood cancers or blood disorders.
A number of initiatives and events are being held in celebration of the group’s 30th anniversary this year.
These include several donor recruitment events, one of which is due to take place tonight at the Jersey Rugby Club – the first to be held since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group hopes to encourage more people to sign up to the stem cell register, while continuing fundraising efforts and raising awareness.
Ms Baigent said: “Our main focus has always been to get as many people onto the register as possible.”
She continued: “We had a quieter period during Covid and we are really starting to get going again. It’s important, as there are people waiting for a match at this very moment. It could be the difference between life and death for someone who needs a transplant.”
Chair of the volunteer group Tim Hicklin – who survived illness thanks to a stem cell donation – said: “I am proud to be associated with such a hardworking and dedicated group of people. Despite the pandemic, changes in peoples’ lifestyles and financial pressures on households, the Jersey Friends have worked tirelessly to maintain our programme of events to both raise awareness of and raise money for the lifesaving work of Anthony Nolan.”
He added: “Our thanks also go to the people of Jersey, not only for their incredible support of our fundraising activities but also their amazing engagement with our recruitment events over the years, in coming forward to register as potential stem cell donors. Quite a number of Islanders have gone on to donate cells and actually save patients’ lives, which is remarkable.
“We are thankful for the ongoing support from Rok Construction, who have supported us with many of our activities; and a special mention must be made of the Jersey Pétanque Club, who have been long-standing and valued supporters of the charity.”
THE CHARITY
– The UK charity was founded by Shirley Nolan and is named after her son, who was born with a rare blood disorder called Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, with the only cure being a bone marrow transplant. Anthony’s family began searching for a donor, as none of his relatives were a match, with the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register being established in 1974.
– Anthony Nolan also celebrates an anniversary – its 50th – this year. Two members of the Jersey Friends group – chair Tim Hicklin and treasurer Andrew Le Brun, were invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street in March to mark the occasion.
