Paul up for donor champion award
House of Commons to host prestigious event
A retired firefighter from Dunblane is up for an award because of his work with a charity.
Paul Elliott donated stem cells to a stranger battling blood cancer more than a decade ago and has since helped raise awareness of the need for more registered donors.
The 56-year-old has now been rewarded with a nomination in the donor champion of the year category at annual awards run by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan Trust.
Paul joined the Anthony Nolan register in 2004 when a colleague’s mum was diagnosed with leukaemia. Six months later, he was told he was a match for a stranger and donated bone marrow to help save the recipient’s life.
He raises awareness for Anthony Nolan at recruitment events across Scotland.
Paul joined the donor recruitment group formed by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service staff, headed by Ally Boyle, to help the trust expand in Stirling area.
Now, he highlights the need for more young people to join the register through school talks and events.
He said: “To date, my group and I have recruited 648 pupils and I’ve spoken to over 1500 people at schools. I give a presentation and tell my story, about how I was picked and went on to save someone’s life.
“A highlight was when someone we got to join the register went on to donate. To think if we hadn’t gone into that school on that day, that person may have been missed.
“It shows just how successful you can be with just a little time and effort.
“I really want, however, to thank the firefighters from Stirling without whose help none of this could go ahead.
“They donate their own time for these events and clinics. If it wasn’t for them none of this would be happening and donors wouldn’t be found.”
Anthony Nolan uses its register to match potential stem cell donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.
It also carries out vital research to make stem cell transplants more successful, and supports patients through their transplant journey.
Henny Braund, chief executive at Anthony Nolan, said: “Paul has shown true dedication to the Anthony Nolan cause by recruiting a large number of people onto our life-saving register.”
The awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday in the House of Commons.