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Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and blood disorders, and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells.

In the UK, blood cancer is the third biggest cancer killer. A stem cell transplant could be someone’s last chance of survival. In 1974, the world’s first stem cell register of potential donors was created by Anthony’s mother Shirley. Her hope was to find a cure for the blood disorder Anthony was born with and it’s her pioneering work that the charity continues today.Ìý

When somebody needs a lifesaving transplant, Anthony Nolan is there – from finding a stem cell match, couriering the stem cells around the world, to helping people and their families with practical and psychological support after transplant. When a match can’t be found, the charity works with families to campaign and appeal for people to join the stem cell register with the hope of finding a matching donor.Ìý

But their work doesn’t stop there. Anthony Nolan funds pioneering research to unlock better, kinder treatments and improve the quality of life of those who have received a transplant. They do all they can to improve people’s lives and make sure they live, and live well, after a stem cell transplant.Ìý

By supporting their appeal you’re helping to save and improve the lives of everyone who needs a stem cell transplant. Together, we can give people with blood cancer and blood disorders, their family, and their friends, a second chance of life.

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Lucy Siegle presents a Lifeline appeal on behalf of Anthony Nolan, the charity that makes lifesaving connections between people with blood cancer and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells.

I’m honoured to be part of this appeal for Anthony Nolan.Ìý

I’ve been a proud and passionate supporter of Anthony Nolan for many years. I ran my first marathon for the charity in 2014, after being inspired by my friend and fellow The One Show presenter Joe Crowley. Joe sadly lost his Dad to blood cancer when he was 15. I wanted to support Joe, his Dad’s legacy and my own friends and family who have also been affected by blood disorders and blood cancers (as they are so prevalent, everyone knows somebody).

Anthony Nolan saves lives, three a day in fact. Through patient appeals to find matching stem cell donors, funding pioneering research to uncover better, kinder treatments, and providing essential support to families through their post-transplant journey, this charity is making a difference.

Sam was three when doctors found that the stem cells in his bone marrow did not produce enough blood cells. As a young adult his health deteriorated and he was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome.

A stem cell transplant gave him a second chance of life and Sam says he couldn’t have done it, any of it, without the nurses who supported him through his lifesaving treatment. They cared for him, provided endless reassurance, and a kind listening ear.

The clinical nurse specialist unit that treated Sam were trained, funded, and supported by Anthony Nolan.

Anthony Nolan is here for everyone affected by blood cancer and blood disorders at every stage of their transplant journey. You can help make sure every patient and their family has the support they need.

Jo needed a stem cell transplant to save her life.

When she was 25-years-old Jo was told she only had 6 months to live. Determined to not leave this world without marrying the love of her life Pete, they planned their wedding. Incredibly, a new treatment became available just before their big day that kept Jo alive just long enough to find a matching stem cell donor – a selfless stranger who gave her and her brand-new family a second chance of life.

In February 2020 Jo and her donor Stefan met for the first time and she was able to introduce the man who saved her life to her husband and baby girl.

Every year, more than 2,300 people in the UK need Anthony Nolan’s help to find a matching stem cell donor, outside of their family. Help give families like Jo’s a second chance of life.

Amina tells us about her four-year-old daughter, Shahera who urgently needs a stem cell donor.

All Shahera’s family want is for her to have a happy, healthy childhood and a future they can all enjoy together. But her very rare immunodeficiency disorder means that she spends her time in and out of hospital. She’s been waiting two years to find a matching stem cell donor, half her life, and Anthony Nolan have been helping to raise awareness.

The search for a lifesaving donor is made more difficult by Shahera’s Bangladeshi heritage. People from minority ethnic backgrounds have just a 37% chance of finding the best possible donor match from an unrelated donor.

Shahera loves nursery, her dolls, her big brother, and has so much to look forward too. She urgently needs your help to get better. A stem cell transplant could give her a second chance of life.

ÌýTogether with Anthony Nolan, you could help her find her matching donor. Ìý