·   DKMS is urging more people from Nottingham to join the blood stem cell register

·    Last year, lifesaving registrations in Nottingham fell by 63% compared to 2020

·   This follows a shocking national trend, with just over a third (37%) of people registering in the first 3 months of this year compared to last Spring

·   DKMS is urging people to register now, to give someone a second chance at life at dkms.org.uk

 

DKMS is urging people in Nottingham to register as blood stem cell donors to help give a second chance at life for someone with blood cancer. The charity continues to feel the aftershocks of the pandemic which devastatingly impacted the number of people signing-up. Lifesaving registrations in Nottingham have fallen by 63% compared to 2020.

 

There is an urgent need for people to help meet the demand for donations and reverse the decline in registrations. Sadly, Nottingham follows a national trend, with just over a third (37%) of the number of people in the UK registering in the first 3 months of this year compared to last Spring.

 

A stem cell transplant can be the last hope of survival for patients and despite the hope of a return to normalcy, a big push is needed in 2022 to help give those with blood cancer the best chance. A blood stem cell donation from a genetically similar person can offer a second chance at life for those in need.

 

Only 1 in 4 people with blood cancer (and in need of a transplant) will find a matching blood stem cell donor within their own family, which means that those in need of a blood stem cell transplant on the kindness of a stranger. The family of Isobel Somerton (16), from Nottingham know only too well how powerless this news makes you feel. Until recently Isobel had been waiting for her lifesaving match to be found. In January 2019, after 18 months of struggling with double vision and balance issues, Isobel was diagnosed with Griscelli, which cases hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) – a life-threatening condition which affects her blood and is so rare there are only 60 cases known in the world. Her parents, Sue and Kevin Somerton, say:

“Isobel’s anonymous donor has given her another chance at life. She is now 16 and doing A levels, with hopes of training in a caring professions to work for the NHS. We, as a family, are trying to encourage as many people to sign up as possible. It isn’t just about Isobel as there are so many families going through what we are going through but without the relief of their loved one’s match being found. If you can, please go to the DKMS website and look into how to register – you could be the match that a family is hoping and waiting for.”

 

Alfie Commons (6 years old) from Nottingham was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when he was just seven months old. Little Alfie, who is now five, underwent three bouts of unsuccessful chemotherapy at the Queen’s Medical Centre and was only eventually saved when a bone marrow donor from Germany, Christin Bouvier, came along. Alfie’s mum Lorna Hicklin said:

 

“My son’s blood cancer diagnosis was devastating, and then to be told that his only chance of survival was a stem cell transplant and no one in my family was a match was even more heart-breaking. I never thought something like this would happen within my family, to my child, no one in my family has had blood cancer. I was so scared when I realised my son’s future was reliant on a kind stranger somewhere in the world to save his life. It’s impossible to comprehend how important such a small action as swabbing your cheeks and joining the register is, until it is you, your spouse, your child or your friends fighting for their life. If you eligible to sign up, please register and give other people the second chance at life that my son has been given.”

 

Dr Tom Livingston (37) from Derby gave a stranger a second chance of live and is encouraging people in the Midlands to register to do the same. Dr Livingston, an acute medicine consultant at the Royal Derby Hospital, who was inspired to sign up with DKMS following his mum’s own battle with blood cancer. She was treated with a blood stem cell transplant which gave her a second chance at life, and now five years later, Tom has been matched with a patient in need of a lifesaver.

 

“I joined the stem cell register after my mum was first diagnosed with blood cancer, but 5 years later I never expected to actually be called upon as a match for someone! I felt privileged to have the chance to make such a positive impact on someone else’s life. The donation process really was actually quite simple and painless, similar to donating blood. You have a few hours to yourself to just sit back, relax and be looked after by the amazing nurses who were so professional and knowledgeable and made me feel completely at ease! Knowing my donation helped towards saving someone else’s life has got to be one of the most rewarding things you can do. So if you are fit and able, just go for it!”

 

Reshna Radiven, Head of Communications and Engagement, DKMS UK, said:

 

“This is deeply worrying. We have witnessed a huge decrease in registrations since the pandemic took hold. With only 1 in 4 people finding a match within their family, thousands of blood cancer patients rely on the kindness of a stranger.

 

“We urgently need more people to come forward and register, because the more people we have on the blood stem cell register, the more chance there is of our patients finding that perfect match. By signing up, you could be giving someone a second chance at life”.

 

Taking the first steps to register as a potential blood stem cell donor can be done within a few minutes from the comfort of your own home. If you are aged between 17-55 and in general good health you can sign up for a home swab kit online at dkms.org.uk