MP pushes stem cell register in Warrington South

Andy Carter, Conservative MP for Warrington South, met with the Anthony Nolan Trust in Parliament this week.

The trust aims to promote the stem cell register, by raising awareness of the ease and accessibility of donating stem cells.

Thank you @Wrexham_AFC 💚❤️

You could save the life of someone like six year old Leland, who is in urgent need of a stem cell transplant.

Here's how to join: https://t.co/tDFhflubn0#Join4Leland https://t.co/eI6XrDKeBR

— Anthony Nolan (@AnthonyNolan) October 18, 2022

Mr Carter posted on social media about meeting the team from the trust, and discussing the life-saving work that they do.

The MP said: "Every year in the UK, around 2,000 blood cancer patients need a stem cell donor to save their life – but too often a donor isn’t available or can’t be found quickly enough.

"People from minority ethnic backgrounds currently have significantly less chance of finding a lifesaving stem cell match from an unrelated donor."

The Anthony Nolan Trust is pushing for more 16-30-year-olds to get tested for their eligibility as stem cell donors, so they can be added to the register.

“This month marks the 20th anniversary for my bone marrow transplant. 20 years on, I'm happily married with a beautiful daughter, and life couldn’t be any better. I would not be here if it wasn’t for my donor Donna, and for that I am eternally thankful”
- Paula pic.twitter.com/B8yf1lS0il

— Anthony Nolan (@AnthonyNolan) October 21, 2022

Anyone can apply to become a donor, and the trust will send a pack with a testing swab to any applicants in order to assess the viability of them becoming a donor.

The trust's website says there are two ways that people donate stem cells - 90 per cent of donors donate through their bloodstream, while the rest donate through their bone marrow.

Methods of donation are explained in detail on the site, with the trust saying: "90 per cent of people donate via their bloodstream – you’ll receive a course of injections for a few days before, and then go into hospital for the day where stem cells are collected from your bloodstream over four to five hours, and filtered out using a special machine.  

"10 per cent of people donate through their bone marrow – the cells are collected from your hip bone while you’re under a general anaesthetic so you won’t feel a thing - you’ll stay in hospital for two nights."

"I donated stem cells for a patient living with blood cancer when I was 17. The entire process from signing up initially through school, and then 6 months later donating 4.72 million stem cells, was brilliant and super easy. I felt so well supported."

Rob, you're a hero! 💚 pic.twitter.com/NYLwYcLjDw

— Anthony Nolan (@AnthonyNolan) October 25, 2022

As Mr Carter said, some 2,000 blood cancer patients need stem cell donations in the UK every year, and becoming a donor could save a patient's life.

More information on how to donate can be found here.