NEW DATA released by blood cancer charity DKMS UK reveals that just 3.9% of 16-55’s in Wales are registered as potential stem cell donors with DKMS – above the UK average of 3.1%
As the UK marks World Blood Cancer Day on May 28, DKMS is calling on people across Wales to take action, and help to give people with blood cancer or serious blood disorders hope of a second chance at life by joining the stem cell donor register – which takes just a few minutes.
Every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer. For many patients, a stem cell transplant from a matching donor is their best or only chance of survival – but only a very small proportion of the UK population are currently registered as potential donors.
One such patient was Sheldon Donovan from Cardiff. Sheldon was 25 when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma ten years ago. He had multiple rounds of intensive treatment, but when his cancer returned a third time, his only option was a stem cell transplant. Thankfully, an anonymous stranger from the stem cell donor register came forward and saved his life.
Sheldon explained: “When it came time to search for a donor, my cancer had already come back twice.
“By the third cancer diagnosis, a stem cell transplant was my only option, but none of my family were a match. We worked really closely with the DKMS team to get more people on the register.
“I feel so lucky to have found a matching donor; I was really young when I was diagnosed – I’ve been given this huge gift of a second chance, so nothing can stop me now.”
Just a few weeks ago, Sheldon decided to take on an enormous challenge – alongside his brother Jordan, he ran the London Marathon to raise awareness of stem cell donation. The brothers also raised thousands of pounds for DKMS.
Sheldon said: “It was a massive challenge, but DKMS is very close to my heart – helping to find a donor saved my life and actually, I loved it, so much more than I thought I would.
“The day was really magical, and the crowd was absolutely amazing. Towards the end of the race I saw my brother, and just had to stop as we both burst into tears.
“At the end I did think that if I hadn’t had to stop and sob, I might have shaved five minutes off my time!”
DKMS spokesperson Bronagh Hughes said: “For World Blood Cancer Day, hope starts in Wales – we’re calling on people across the nation to get on the stem cell donor register.
“When a patient needs a stem cell transplant, most will not find a donor in their immediate family.
“Patients like Sheldon will rely on finding a stranger who is a compatible stem cell donor match who can offer them a second chance at life.
“Joining the register means that you could offer that lifeline for someone in their time of greatest need.
“Most people will never be called to donate, but if you are, you have the potential to save someone’s life, and DKMS will support you every step of the way.”
Sheldon is marking World Blood Cancer Day with DKMS UK by encouraging people to order a free swab kit via the DKMS website, complete the simple mouth swabs, and return them to be added to the register.
Sheldon concluded: “I know better that anyone that the right person joining the stem cell donor register can save a life. I would encourage absolutely everyone to sign up.
“Some of those people that signed up when I was ill have already been asked to donate their cells to other patients needing transplants.
“Sharing my story has gone on to help other people, and will continue to do so in the future. It’s amazing to have that legacy.”
Signing up to the stem cell donor register is a quick and easy process involving some painless mouth swabs: if you are aged 16-55 and in general good health, you’re eligible to join the register with DKMS. If you are then matched with someone needing a transplant, in nine out of ten cases donating is a simple, outpatient process similar to donating blood platelets, with support from DKMS throughout.
Things you didn’t know about blood cancer:
- Blood cancers are the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK.
- At any one time there are around 2,000 people in the UK in need of a stem cell transplant.
- Of those registered, only 16 % are from UK minority ethnic backgrounds. This makes it more difficult for patients from these backgrounds to find a match.
