Kettering resident Ian Parker has donated his bone marrow to a complete stranger in an attempt to save their life.
Ian was working as a Civil Servant in Afghanistan over Christmas 2012 when his wife received a call from blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.
Ian, 46, says, ‘When I returned from my tour in Afghanistan, my wife told me that Anthony Nolan had called and I could be a match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant. I called them straight away. It felt really good that I might able to help someone.’
Ian donated in April this year by Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) collection, a procedure similar to giving blood.
Ian says, ‘It was really simple and everyone was very friendly; they couldn’t have done more to make sure I felt comfortable. I’d be happy to donate again. All I had to do was sit there for four and a half hours and I could save someone’s life – it’s pretty amazing when you think about it.’
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says, ‘Ian’s selfless act has given someone with blood cancer the best chance possible. As Ian found, donating is usually a very simple process. We’re urging all those eligible to follow his example and sign up as bone marrow donors. We urgently need more young men to join the register, as they are the most likely to be chosen to donate.’
Find out more about joining the bone marrow register.
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