A CARING Pershore man has urged residents across the Vale to sign up to the stem cell donation register and possibly help save a stranger’s life.
Andrew Stevenson made the call after he was able to donate at University College Hospital London last Tuesday (October 20).
And because his stem cells were a match with a person suffering from blood cancer, the 21-year-old was able to give someone he had never met a second chance at life.
Andrew is now campaigning to recruit more potential donors to the Anthony Nolan and Delete Blood Cancer stem cell donor register after his act of kindness.
“I joined the register believing I could potentially save somebody’s life. I was amazed when I found out that I was a match for somebody and I had the opportunity to save their life,” he told the Observer.
The caring Pershore resident initially joined the Delete Blood Cancer stem cell donor register at the start of the year because he just felt it was the right thing to do after seeing an advert online.
Blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan uses its register to match potential stem cell donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.
Andrew was found to be a match for a stranger in desperate need of a stem cell transplant and donated his stem cells in October.
He underwent a process called Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection to harvest his stem cells and went through a gruelling four days of injections to boost the amount of stem cells in his blood
“The whole process was incredibly simple and my wellbeing was always put first,” he said.
“The staff and volunteers at Delete Blood Cancer, Anthony Nolan and the University College Hospital in London were incredibly friendly and were always on hand to answer any questions I had.
“It is such an amazing feeling to think I have given somebody a second chance at life,” he added.
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, said: “Andrew Stevenson has done an incredibly selfless thing and given someone with blood cancer their best chance at survival.
“We are delighted that he has been inspired to encourage others to sign up as donors.
“We particularly need young men to join the register as they are the most likely to be chosen to donate,” she added.
Visit www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk/en for more information on donation.
