Hi Eddy,
I was wondering if you would you do me a big favour, recently a couple have moved in next door & they have two adorable children, Ella who is 6 years old and Sam who is just 3.
They both have a very rare disease which will eventually turn into a very aggressive form of leukaemia & if they don't find a bone marrow donor soon (they are both the same tissue type so only require one match) they will lose their very valiant fight for life.
Their parents have posters of their children promoting the Anthony Nolan trust requesting donors who have to be between the ages 18 & 40 which I'm afraid rules a lot of us out.
But we can still do our bit by spreading the word, and encouraging our children, and younger friends to help.
We need people to give a blood sample, and they will then be placed on the national bone marrow data base & should they prove to be a match to Ella or Sam or for any of the thousands of children & adolescents desperate for this life giving donation, they would be contacted & should they wish to go through with being a donor they are counselled so that they are fully aware of the procedures.
If they should be a match, they would then give a sample of your bone marrow. It has to be said that it is a very brave act in it's self, as it is fairly uncomfortable for a day or so, but the reward of knowing you have potentially saved a child's life would be a reward high above any other accolade they are ever likely to achieve in a life time.
Take care and best wishes Sallyanne & Nick
For a time I was the chairman of the South Lakes Anthony Nolan Trust Support Group, and I appreciate the on going battle for donors. Through my involvement I met a number of people who eventually were matched, and went on to donate bone marrow. On each of these occasions the recipient was cured. Can you imagine the feeling you would have knowing that you had given life back to some one, it must be awesome.
How can you help?
1) CLICK HERE for a poster of Ella and Sam, print one or two off and put them up somewhere.
2) Get anyone you know between the age of 18 and 40 to phone The Anthony Nolan Trust on 020 7284 1234 or www.anthonynolan.org.uk and they will send you a form to take to your doctor or nurse who will take a blood sample and forward it.
Please make that first step, and who knows you might be able to save little Ella and Sam.............................................Eddy
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Eddy,