May 24, 2019

This weekend at Ice Sheffield, the JLMC Junior National Finals take place with 27 games across three days for u11 to u18s to determine the national champions.

Off the ice, the JLMC are pleased to confirm that there will be a raffle and cake stall at the event, with proceeds being donated to DKMS UK supporting their work against blood cancer and blood disorders.

The work of DKMS and the issue of blood cancers has been brought into the hockey family after one of our on-ice officials, Haris Hussain, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in March and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment.  As part of the treatment Haris will also require a stem cell transplant – however only 30% of patients find a stem cell donor within their family so rely on finding a match within the UK stem cell registry.

If you are aged between 17-55 and in general good health, you can register yourself as a potential blood stem cell donor.

It is quick and easy to do the preliminary cheek swab at home then post back to DKMS. Whatever your circumstances in life, it is a rare thing indeed to have the capability to save someone else’s life.

The DKMS website has a step by step guide on how to register and follow the process, read more on their website > here <.

As well as being a member of IHUK #TeamStripes, Haris is also a talented club and county cricketer and was trialling with Leicestershire CCC Academy at the time of his diagnosis.

This weekend’s fundraising will help Haris and the estimated 2,000 people in the UK waiting for a stem cell donor match.

The JLMC National Finals will be selling raffle tickets for prizes that include a GB shirt signed by Robert Dowd, a place at a David Clarke hockey camp and other great prizes donated by Puck Stop, Ice Locker, Bauer and many more.

Thanks in advance for your support and we encourage you to register as a potential donor with DKMS and give someone a second chance at life.