Finding out your grandad’s prognosis was twelve months to live after being diagnosed with MDS Leukaemia is not what you want to hear, but thanks to the charity Anthony Nolan, my 67-year old Grandad Howard is now well on his way to recovery.

He was diagnosed in April 2018 and desperately needed a stem cell donation. The first step was to get immediate family checked out as a possible donor. Each test cost the charity £400 per person. Unfortunately, the news came back that his sister wasn’t a match. The charity found one donor in the UK, however they did not respond when they charity reached out. We were informed that many people in the UK are reluctant to donate bone marrow and stem cells because of the misassumption that the donor goes through a difficult painful procedure. Many people don't realise that to donate stem cells, it is just a simple blood transfusion. 

My main aim is to educate young people about the lifesaving difference they can make by joining the Anthony Nolan register and how simple a stem cell transplant really is.

The week before my wedding Grandad had his transplant and was fighting for his life in Christie’s Hospital in Manchester. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to attend the wedding, however, the operation was a success and the transplant had saved his life. Whilst his treatment continues, he must have regular monitoring and blood tests, he is continuing to improve and get better every day.   

On June 8th I’ll be taking part in the Great North Swim in Windermere. I used to swim for Lancashire and train for four hours a day, but I’ve never swum in open water. I'll be running the Blackpool 10k on May 12th with other members from The Cartford Inn team, and the restaurant will also be organising various other fund-raising activities. 

We can’t thank the charity enough, everything was arranged through them. They really did save his life. Because of that I’m now trying to spread the message about the charity and how easy it is to become a stem cell donor.

Could you be a suitable donor? You’ll need to be between the ages of 16 and 30 and be fit and healthy. If you register, chances are that you’ll never have to do anything. Just take a mouth swab sample and post it off.  At some point in the future you may turn up as a match for someone who is ill and potentially save someone’s life. 

What could be more rewarding than that?