Over 10 years ago I was asked to spit into a tube at work and many years passed thinking nothing more of it. Then out of the blue, I received the call that I was a match for someone with blood cancer; so I stepped up and went through the stem cell donation process. Being uncomfortable with needles, it's safe to say it wasn't a walk in the park but the Anthony Nolan team were incredibly supportive throughout. The experience taught me how complex the process is and how important the fundraising arm of the charity is to enabling these lifesaving donations to take place. I took the risk in opting into a recipient update and a couple of weeks later I received the superb news that the recipient survived the transplant! I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to raise money to enable more life saving donations to take place even if it involves running a marathon in Berlin when I should just be there to sink some German beers.

Find below the background from the charity in case of interest:

For someone with blood cancer, a stem cell transplant could be their last chance of survival. Today, five people will start their search for a stranger to save their life. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. It costs £40 to add each new potential donor to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register. Every new person on the register means another chance for someone to find their lifesaving match.

By donating to our page, you will be giving more people with blood cancer the chance of a future. Thank you so much. Together, we can keep saving lives.