Table Stage Bone Marrow Donor Quest

Saving Lives: from left, Sandbach Tablers, Paul Molley, Peter Halliwell & Anthony Stubbs

People from Sandbach and throughout Congleton Borough have been given the chance to become life-savers.

The Round Table of Sandbach is helping the Anthony Nolan Trust run a bone marrow donor quest in Sandbach on Thursday 15th October 05.

Residents are invited to go along to St. Mary's Church Hall, The Square, between 11.am & 2.pm, for a blood test to see if they are suitable donors for sufferers of bone marrow disease, leukaemia or severe immune deficiency.

Everyone from all ethnic groups is welcome, however, prospective donors must weigh over eight stones & be in good health. The organisers are particularly looking for men aged 18 to 40.

The Round Table have pledged their help by providing local-level organisation leaving members of the trust to run the clinic.

A small sample of blood of four millilitres will be required & if chosen as a match the donor has a choice of donating blood stem cells either from the bloodstream or the bone marrow - which is removed under general anaesthetic.

The Anthony Nolan Trust will pay all expenses to successful donors, as well as any loss of earnings incurred during the short recovery period.

Every year, hundreds of UK patients need bone marrow transplants to treat life-threatening disorders, such as Leukaemia. Fewer than 30% of these patients will find a family member with compatible blood stem cells to donate. For the rest, an unrelated donor is the only chance.

Rebecca Bishop, donor recruitment manager from the trust, said: "In order to help maximise the chances of survival for patients in need of bone marrow transplants we are appealing to males, ethnic minorities & young people in the Sandbach area to become bone marrow donors."

"By doing this you could potentially save a life. It could be the most important thing you ever do in your life. We really need the local community to respond."

No appointments need to be made to take part. For more information about the work of the trust call 0207 284 1234, or click here.