Two years after donating his bone marrow in an attempt to save the life of a complete stranger, a Surrey dad is taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon for us.
Daniel Ryan, who lives in Frimley with wife Naomi and daughter Connie, joined our bone marrow donor register in 2005 by providing a saliva sample. In 2012, he was shocked to be told that he was a match for someone in need of a transplant.
Daniel Ryan with daughter Connie
Daniel, 33, says, “I was surprised; really surprised actually. Even more so when I found that I would be donating via a bone marrow harvest, a less common method of donation. A doctor explained the process to me, and Anthony Nolan arranged for me to meet with someone who had donated previously. After hearing how simple it was, I lost all my fears and really wanted to do it.”
Daniel donated by bone marrow harvest but in 90% of cases, people donate through peripheral blood stem cell collection, a procedure similar to giving blood.
10,000 new donors on the register
After his donation, Daniel, who works as a PA in the aviation sector, was asked to donate some lymphocytes to help boost the immune system of his anonymous recipient. It was at this point he found out we were the Official Charity for the Virgin Money London Marathon.
By reaching their target of £1 million, Anthony Nolan runners will make it possible for us to add 10,000 potential bone marrow donors to the register. Any one of them could save the life of someone with blood cancer.
Daniel says, “It was always something in the back of my mind and once I knew they were the official charity, I just started thinking positively about running and that was that. “
"I'm running for Anthony Nolan because of the amazing work they do"
Although Daniel has never run a marathon before, he says he knows he can do it. “I’m running for Anthony Nolan because of the amazing work they do, I’m completely committed to the cause. On marathon day, I’ll be excited and nervous.
I know the money I raise will make a real difference, and that thought will get me to the finish line. I’ll be elated with myself for doing it and helping Anthony Nolan. The work they do is, quite simply, incredible. “
Mary Campbell, our Head of Events, says, “By donating his bone marrow, Daniel has given someone with blood cancer a second chance at life. Daniel is now going twenty six miles further by taking on the marathon with us.
Daniel’s fundraising will help us to recruit more donors to the bone marrow register. Any one of these could be a match for someone in need of a transplant and help to save more lives in the future.”
Sponsor Daniel at http://www.justgiving.com/tflpunk