Rachel’s sister Nadia was saved by a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor. She is now fundraising for Anthony Nolan and has set herself 21 challenges in 21 weeks to celebrate her 21st birthday.
Rachel says, ‘When I was ten my sister needed a bone marrow transplant. Anthony Nolan found a bone marrow donor for her and a year later she had a transplant which saved her life. Since then, I’ve watched my sister and family complete marathons, triathlons, run recruitment sessions and spread the amazing word of what Anthony Nolan does! It’s been an important part of our family life; it’s fun and rewarding to be able to give back.
‘The idea to complete 21 challenges in 21 weeks began when I was working as a receptionist folding towels all day in a gym and I needed to pass some time. It seemed only natural to use these challenges as a way to raise some money and awareness for Anthony Nolan.
‘It’s important to fundraise for Anthony Nolan because only half of the people that need a transplant can find one. The more people that join the register, the more likely it is that if your sister, son, grandmother or dad needs a transplant, there will be a match out there on the register somewhere.
‘One day I was out training in my Anthony Nolan vest top and a man on a bike with a one-year-old little boy rode along side me and asked if I fundraised for Anthony Nolan. I told him about my challenges and he told me that they had saved his little boy’s life. It's been amazing meeting people along the way who hold Anthony Nolan close to their hearts. They really do save lives and that's an incredible thing!’
You can sponsor Rachel’s 21 challenges here.
Rachel is part of a team of 2,500 incredible volunteers who help to fundraise for Anthony Nolan each year. It costs £100 to recruit each potential donor to the bone marrow register, so fundraising really is essential to our lifesaving work. You can find out more about fundraising volunteering opportunities here.