YOUNG men aged from 16 to 30 in Evesham and Pershore are being urged to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register by Round Table.
In 1986, Round Table clubs across the UK and Ireland were instrumental in adding 100,000 new names to the Anthony Nolan register and 30 years on, those clubs are teaming up with the charity once again, this time targeting young men.
Anthony Nolan matches individuals willing to donate their blood stem cells or bone marrow to people with blood cancer and blood disorders who need lifesaving transplants.
Round Table was founded in the UK in 1927 and is the world’s largest male only member organisation, with associations in more than 50 countries.
It is open to men aged 18 to 45, providing opportunities to make new friends, try new activities and support their local community.
Mark House, national president of Round Table said: “Men aged 16 to 30 are the most in demand as stem cell donors but they make up just 15 per cent of the Anthony Nolan register.
“Round Table clubs were instrumental in getting Anthony Nolan to where it is today and as a young man’s organisation I hope we can encourage more young men to join the donor register.”
Ann O’Leary, head of register development at Anthony Nolan, said the initial collaboration with Round Table was a huge success and is looking forward to seeing the campaign take off in Malvern.
She added: “We urgently need more people, especially young men, to join the register. Most people have a one in 900 chance of being chosen to donate but young men have a one in 200 chance.
“What many people don’t realise is how simple it is to join the stem cell register – it involves filling in a form and providing a saliva sample.
“For those who go on to donate, about 90 per cent will donate through PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell collection). This is a straightforward process, carried out as an outpatient procedure, where you can potentially save the life of a person in desperate need of a transplant.
“Our original collaboration with Round Table added a huge number of potential donors to the register. This time around we want to reach young men in particular and we look forward to seeing how the campaign takes off in the Worcester area.”
To sign up for the Anthony Nolan register, visit anthonynolan.roundtable.co.uk
Visit www.evesham.roundtable.co.uk for more information on the Vale of Evesham Round Table.
