Police recruits sign up as stem cell donors

More than 500 recruits at the Police Scotland training college have signed up to become life-saving stem cell donors.

The groundbreaking partnership between the police and blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan was launched at Tulliallan in September, 2016.

It was hoped special recruitment events would share the work the charity does while encouraging more police officers, particularly men, to get involved.

Anyone aged between 16 and 30 can sign up with Anthony Nolan but young men are particularly in demand as they make up just 17% of potential donors.

More than half of the new recruits who have joined from Police Scotland are male, which is helping to make the register more representative.

Anthony Nolan’s Chief Executive Henny Braund said: “We are delighted our partnership with Police Scotland has already resulted in more than 500 probationers joining the register.

“Anyone who signs up as a stem cell donor has the potential to save the life of someone with blood cancer, so it’s vital that people have the chance to hear about it and sign up.

“Joining the register is simple – just fill in a form and provide a cheek swab.

“If you are a match for someone and go on to donate, 90% of people will donate through their blood in a straightforward outpatient procedure.”

Superintendent Chris Stones of Police Scotland said: “The partnership represents a fantastic opportunity for Police Scotland student constables to volunteer to join the Anthony Nolan register in order to give the chance of life.

“We are delighted to work with Anthony Nolan, raising the awareness of the amazing work they do, and hope that this milestone is just the first of many.”

Anthony Nolan helped save the life of Lochgelly youngster Ava Stark after she was diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure in 2016.

The charity helped her find a match on the bone marrow register and she successfully underwent her transplant in December that year.

To find out more, please visit: www. anthonynolan.org

“Anyone who signs up as a stem cell donor has the potential to save the life of someone