news@lboro (2009)
2010
Save a life by joining the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register
May 6, 2010
Steve Rothberg, Dean of Engineering, is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Like Steve, thousands of adults and children need a blood stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor to help them beat their illness.
YOU could be a unique match for one of these patients.
The Engineering Faculty team are working with the Anthony Nolan Trust to organise a Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment Event to support the drive for new donors.
How to help
If you are:
- aged 18-40
- in good health
- resident in the UK for the next 3 years
Come along to a special donor registration session to be tested and join the bone marrow register on…
Wednesday 26th May, 11.00am-5.00pm
Wolfson Foyer/Café Area
(Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering – Building T on campus map)
Joining the register couldn’t be easier - all you have to do is fill out a simple form and give a small saliva sample. You could then go on to be the unique match to save somebody’s life.
About donation
Many people are put off joining the register by myths surrounding the donation procedure. Contrary to common belief, over 90% of bone marrow donations are performed as an out-patient procedure that is very similar to giving blood.
About registration
To speed up the process, it would be helpful if you could complete the questionnaire in advance and bring it with you on the day. Please also read the eligibility criteria. The Trust urgently need to recruit more volunteer donors from ethnic minority backgrounds and increase the male population on their register.
How to register if you are over 40
If you are over 40, it is possible to join the Bone Marrow Donors Register via Blood Donors. next time you give blood.
The next local Blood Donor sessions where you can register as a bone marrow donor are at Charnwood Indoor Bowls Club on 13th May, 10th June and 1st July. For other locations, type your postcode in here: http://www.blood.co.uk/giving-blood/where-can-i-go/
How can I get involved?
Volunteers
If anyone is available to help as a volunteer at the University Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment event on 26th, we would be very grateful for any time you can spare.
Special volunteer training
As Anthony Nolan are a charity reliant on a small base of volunteers, a number of University staff have offered to receive the training to assist on the 26th May. There will be a special training event on 20th May between 10-11.00am for anyone who is interested in learning how to take saliva samples, conduct one-to-one sessions and check medical questionnaires. Once you have received the volunteer training, you remain on the Charity’s database of trained volunteers and may be contacted to help at future donor recruitment events (although there is no obligation.)
General volunteering
If you would like to be involved on 26th May and are able to spare any time to help manning the welcome desk and directing donors, please get in touch.
Find out more
If you would like any more information about the Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment Event, please contact Abigail Bartholomew (A.A.Bartholomew2@lboro.ac.uk / 01509 227510)
Find out more at www.anthonynolan.org.uk