MSP hails stem cell donors

Almost 1000 locals from Hamilton and the surrounding areas have signed up as stem cell donors.

Hamilton, Stonehouse and Larkhall MSP Christina Mckelvie marked Blood Cancer Awareness Month at a reception in Holyrood.

And the event celebrated the number of potential stem cell donors in her constituency who are on the Anthony Nolan register.

Ms Mckelvie said:“i am very proud that the constituency I represent has 991 donors, any one of whom could offer the only chance of giving someone with blood cancer a second chance at life.

“Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.”

Ms Mckelvie is encouraging more people – particularly men aged 16-30 and people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds – to register as stem cell donors and make sure that a match is available for everyone in need of a transplant.

And the MSP also met with representatives of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at the Holyrood event, including Blantyre man Ally Boyle.

The former firefigher initiated a groundbreaking partnership with Anthony Nolan in 2009, while he was area commander of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, after being diagnosed with myelodysplasia (a type of blood cancer).

They have recruited thousands of lifesavers to the register, predominantly through their innovative SFRS Education Programme, which sees SFRS volunteers deliver inspiring educational presentations about stem cell, blood and organ donation to 16- to 18-year-olds across Scotland.

Ms Mckelvie added:“i would especially like to commend the great work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in engaging local communities, particularly secondary schools across Scotland.

“They’ve recruited more than 50 people who have gone on to donate. Their steadfast commitment over the past ten years has had a truly lifesaving impact.”