Everyone Active, who operate a number of leisure centres in the Essex area as well as over 90 leisure centres nationwide, is holding a series of special bone marrow donor recruitment events to help save the life of one of its managers, Chris Spencer.
Chris, aged 47 from Abridge in Essex, has just been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and told he needs a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. His family have been tested and no one is a match, so Chris needs a stranger willing to donate their bone marrow to save his life.
MDS, often known as ‘pre-leukaemia’, means that Chris’ body is not producing blood cells properly and he is at risk of developing leukaemia. He is no stranger to blood cancer, having been in remission from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) for the last four years. Chris previously had a bone marrow transplant using his own cells, as no matching donor could be found. His MDS is a sign that his leukaemia could be returning.
While Anthony Nolan searches worldwide for a matching donor, Chris is using his experience to raise awareness of the need for more donors aged 16–30 to join the bone marrow register.
Chris said: ‘People my age grew up with the inspirational story of Anthony Nolan, the little boy who needed to find a bone marrow donor. But younger people who are the next generation of lifesavers missed this history and aren’t necessarily aware of the importance of bone marrow donation. It’s important that we raise awareness for every person who needs a bone marrow transplant, not just me’
His employer, Everyone Active, is supporting his appeal by holding a series of events at its clubs in Essex and Hertfordshire, specifically targeting young men who only account for 14% of the bone marrow register.
Duncan Jefford, Regional Director at Everyone Active, said: ‘Anthony Nolan particularly needs to recruit young men aged 16–30 as they make the best donors. We’re giving the public the chance to see whether they’re ‘fit to spit’ to help save the lives of people with blood cancers like leukaemia.'
Lynsey Dickson, Regional Recruitment Manager for Anthony Nolan said: ‘There are 1700 patients like Chris in the UK who need a bone marrow transplant to give them a last chance of life. But Anthony Nolan can only find a match for half the people in desperate need. If you are between the ages of 16–30 and in good health, come along to their nearest Everyone Active event and become a potential lifesaver.’ To find out more or sign up online, please visit www.anthonynolan.org
Event information:
DATE: 2nd July
TIME: 4.30 - 8pm
LOCATION: Watford Woodside Leisure Centre, Horseshoe Lane, Garston, Watford WD25 7HH
DATE: 3rd July
TIME: 4.30 - 8pm
LOCATION: Hornchurch Sports Centre, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, Essex RM11 1JU
DATE: 8th July
TIME: 4.30 -8pm
LOCATION: Basildon Sporting Village, Cranes Farm Rd, Basildon, Essex SS14 3GR
DATE: 9th July
TIME: 4.30 - 8pm
LOCATION: St Albans Leisure Centre, Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, Holywell Hill, St Albans
Hertfordshire, AL1 2DL