Milestone for stem cell groups at universities

VOLUNTEERS FROM universities across Yorkshire are celebrating that fact that almost 30,000 students have been recruited to the UK stem cell register over the last 20 years.

The Anthony Nolan blood cancer charity runs student volunteer networks called Marrow groups at the University of Leeds, as well as at universities in Hull, Sheffield and York.

The groups have recruited 29,723 potential stem cell donors to the register since they launched two decades ago.

The volunteers networks have also organised more than 550 events to raise awareness of the work that Anthony Nolan does to support families and patients with blood cancer.

More than 220 students recruited through these Marrow events have gone on to donate stem cells to patients while, on average, people have around a one in 800 chance of being asked to donate stem cells or bone marrow in the next five years.

To celebrate, Marrow groups will host a series of fundraising and donor recruitment events as part of a year-long celebration to raise awareness.

Charlotte Cunliffe, Marrow Programme lead, said: “This year, our wonderful Marrow community is proud to be celebrating 20 years of saving lives.

“Our work in universities is vital, because it allows us to reach a young and diverse group of people.

“We are excited about the next 20 years and are looking forward to spreading the word about the life-saving potential of students on campuses across Yorkshire and Humberside.”

Marrow was launched in 1998 in Nottingham and is now a national group.

For more information, visit www.anthonynolan.org/marrow or go to www.anthonynolan.org/ join to join the register.