‘BLACK DONORS ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED. SIGN UP AND YOU CAN CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE.’ Douglas, who donated his stem cells in August 2018 to potentially save the life of someone with blood cancer. ‘I didn’t know that black people have a reduced chance of finding a match until I went to an Anthony Nolan event at university. That’s what got me to sign up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register. ‘Cancer is something that can affect anybody at any point in their life. If my family or friends got blood cancer, I’d want them to have the best chance of surviving. ‘Seven years later, I got a call saying I was a match for someone who needed a lifesaving stem cell transplant. At first, I was a bit nervous, but donating stem cells doesn’t take much time and
I didn’t find any of it painful. ‘Even if it was, I think a little bit of pain is okay when you’ve got the chance to save someone’s life. ‘I’m really proud to be a stem cell donor. It feels absolutely amazing. I’ve told friends about it and it got them thinking about joining the Anthony Nolan stem cell register as well.’
ONLY 20% CHANCE African Caribbean blood cancer patients only have a 20% chance of getting the best possible stem cell donor match, compared to almost 70% of patients from Northern European backgrounds.
If you’re aged 16–30, you can join Douglas on the Anthony Nolan stem cell register to be ready and waiting to help someone with blood cancer. If you’re over 30, help us campaign to give blood cancer patients a voice and raise the vital funds needed to save more lives.
anthonynolan.org/bhm