Story
We are raising money for Anthony Nolan
Hi i'm Matthew, i'm hoping you can support me and my team.
My son Carter was diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome when he was 3 months old, the same illness that Anthony Nolan had. WAS is a serious blood disease that affects primarily males, in fact- only 4 in every Million. Carter has spent several years in hospital and the only cure for the disease was a bone marrow transplant (Two in fact). If it wasn’t for this amazing charity, he wouldn’t be loving his life. He's our inspiration.
Every day, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or a blood disorder. They do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells, to people who desperately need a lifesaving transplant.
What is Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS):
There is a significant reduction in the size and number of platelets (micro thrombocytopenia), causing those affected to bleed easily. If there is an internal bleed it can cause serious problems. It affects the function of the white blood cells so they have an increased incidence of infections ranging from ear infections and sinusitis to meningitis.
Patients with WAS have an increased risk of malignancies compared to normal individuals, such as; leukaemia, lymphoma, and autoimmune disorders, i.e. conditions in which the body begins to destroy or damage its own red cells, platelets, kidneys etc. The skin is affected by eczema, which may be severe and difficult to treat. Since eczema is extremely itchy, they often scratch themselves until they bleed.
Carter suffered from the majority of these. For patients with WAS who do not undergo a transplant, the reported life expectancy is sadly between 8 - 14.5 years.
A Bone Marrow Transplant is a very frightening and long process which no one should have to face, especially at such a young age. However, we are so thankful that there was a potential cure. The transplant involved high doses of chemotherapy. Then, on transplant day he received stem cells through a central line. He spent the majority of 3.5 years in hospital isolation recovering.
What are we doing to raise money
On March the 23rd, six of our team will be braving a nighttime climb up the ‘big one’ roller coaster in Blackpool.
Matthew Lynton
Thomas Goss
Neil Worsley
Elliot Dalgliesh
Jorel Garland
Martin Harris
You can support us by-
Generously Donating money
To the Anthony Nolan charity to help them continue to develop their research. It costs them £60 to add every potential stem cell donor to the register so the more money we raise, the
more donors can be added – and the more lives they can save.
Joining the register to become a donor (copy and paste links below).
Helping us raise awareness
by sharing this page to encourage others to join. Research indicates that young males age 16-30 provide better outcomes for patients, but they make up just 15% of the register. So if you know any 16-30 year old men that are born to be lifesavers – spread the word!
Under 30?
www.anthonynolan.org/join