#Match4Marley calls on community to join the Anthony Nolan register
On 11thOctober 2018, Shannon Bradshaw community centre in Penketh will hold an event to help find a life saving match for Marley Nicholls, by registering potential stem cell donors on the Anthony Nolan register.
Marley (right) with his brother George
Marley Nicholls, from Newport, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder affecting the bone marrow. His family have been told that his best chance of survival is a stem cell transplant from a matching stranger. Founder of the Trust, Patti Bradshaw whose daughter Shannon passed away in 2002 from the same condition, is working with the family to find a match for Marley.
After it was revealed that Marley’s younger brother George, 4, wasn’t a suitable match, blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan sprang into action, and is now actively searching for a matching donor.
Marley’s family, who have been told that he has no matches on the UK or global stem cell registers, have launched a desperate appeal, called ‘Marrow for Marley’, for people to sign up as potential stem cell donors – with over 10,000 people signing up so far.
Marley’s mum, Shaney Truman, who describes him as ‘a kind soul and would do anything for anyone’, said ‘When Marley was diagnosed it felt like a grenade had been dropped on our family.’
‘We’re trying to remain hopeful. It’s a race against time now – there’s got to be someone out there who can be a match for Marley.’
Karen Archer, Regional Development Manager for Wales, said: ‘We are doing everything we can to support Marley and his family in their search for a lifesaving stem cell donor. Every day, five people, like Marley, will start their search for a matching stranger who might save their life.
‘Every single person who signs up has the potential to help save someone like Marley, and it’s incredible that over 10,000 people have already signed up to the Anthony Nolan register since his appeal was launched. However, we urgently need more people to sign up to help people, like Marley, who are in desperate need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant.’
Anthony Nolan recruits people aged 16-30 to the stem cell register as younger people are more likely to be chosen to donate. It also costs £40 to recruit each potential donor to the register, so Anthony Nolan relies on financial support.
To find about more about joining the Anthony Nolan register, or to find out more about the different ways you can support, visit anthonynolan.org/join
