· DKMS is urging more people from York to join the blood stem cell register
· Last year, lifesaving registrations in York fell by 65% 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 York 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 York have fallen by 65% compared to 2020.
There is an urgent need for people to help meet the demand for donations and reverse the decline in registrations. Sadly, York 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 Myla Mae Hatcher (8), from Sheffield know only too well how powerless this news makes you feel.
Myla was diagnosed at just 4 years old with severe aplastic anaemia, a deficiency of all three blood cell types – white, red and platelets. The life threatening condition drained her of energy and made it difficult for her to enjoy her loves in life: swimming, gymnastics and ballet. Her best option was to find a blood stem cell match and luckily her match was found just before Christmas 2018 – she is now recovering at home. Myla’s mum, Danielle, said:
“My daughter, Myla’s, blood cancer diagnosis was a huge blow, but being told that her best shot at a normal life was a stem cell transplant yet no one in our family was a match was even more heart-breaking. I never thought something like this would happen to us. No one in our family has had blood cancer. I was so scared when I realised we were reliant on a kind stranger somewhere in the world to save her life. It’s impossible to comprehend how important such a small action as swabbing your cheeks and joining the register is until it’s you, your spouse, your child, or your friends fighting for their lives. If you are eligible to sign up, please do so and give other people the second chance at life that I have been given.”
Caroline Kay, (54 years old), from Hull signed up with DKMS after attending a member of her extended family’s funeral , who died from a rare form of bone cancer. Caroline met a number of other young people at his funeral who were fighting cancer, including a teenager with leukaemia called Luke. Luke inspired Caroline to register in the hope of saving someone just like him, in need of a stranger’s help. Caroline said:
“I joined the stem cell register with the hopes of saving someone’s life, but I never expected to actually be called upon! I was so delighted that I got the chance to make such a positive impact on someone else’s life. I was surprised at how simple and painless the donation process was. I got a few hours to myself to read, binge watch my favourite shows and be taken care of by the amazing nurses at the hospital. If you are fit and able, just go for it! Saving someone else’s life has got to be the most rewarding thing you can do. I wish i had the chance to do it again.”
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
