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The family of much loved Wrexham DJ, who was diagnosed with blood cancer last summer, are appealing for more people to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, after being told there was no matching donor for him.

Mike Wignell, 68, was only a few weeks retired from his thirty-three-year career playing the pubs and clubs of Wrexham when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a type of blood cancer, in July 2019 “by chance”.

We were deeply saddened to learn of Joel Esan’s death earlier this month. 

Following a diagnosis in 2018 of a rare type of leukaemia called Acute Leukaemia of Ambiguous Lineage (ALAL), Joel had to undergo a total of four rounds of chemotherapy, a course of radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant. 

Today (Monday 22 June) the UK Government set out a roadmap for the future of shielding for people in England classed as clinically extremely vulnerable (the shielding population) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Patients who have received, and are in need of, stem cell transplants fall into this category.

The previous guidance advised the shielding population to stay at home as much as possible, maintain strict social distancing while outdoors, and only spend time with members of their own household or one other person if they live alone.

Today (Monday 15 June) The Office for National Statistics published an analysis of clinically extremely vulnerable people (the shielding population) in England during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including their behaviours and mental and physical wellbeing. Patients who have received, and are in need of, stem cell transplants fall into this category.

The family of a seven-year-old girl with leukaemia, who is also recovering from Coronavirus, are calling for more people to sign up as potential stem cell donors, with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. They have been told that there is currently no one on the stem cell donor register who is a perfect match for their daughter.

A selfless student has travelled from Dundee to London during the Covid 19 (coronavirus) lockdown, to donate stem cells to a stranger in desperate need of a potentially life-saving stem cell transplant. 

A man from Scotland made a 1,200-mile round trip during lockdown to donate stem cells to a cancer patient. Rob Slight, travelled nearly 600 miles from his home in the Orkney Islands to Sheffield.

“I had pretty much forgotten that I was on the donor list as it had been a few years since signing up. The initial feeling was surprise followed by a determination to try and help whoever it is that I am matched with despite the pandemic.

Actor and Anthony Nolan Patron, Olivia Colman CBE, has revealed a belief she is ‘a terrible teacher’ as she adapts to lockdown.

Speaking on the blood cancer charity’s Instagram (@anthonynolancharity) with one of Anthony Nolan’s Ambassadors, journalist and TV presenter, Joe Crowley, the Oscar winning actor said she had been teaching her youngest child.

A new study will look at how patients, who receive stem cell transplants for blood cancers and blood disorders, react to COVID-19 infection during their recovery.

Announced by IMPACT, a partnership of organisations committed to improving the survival rates of stem cell transplant patients by increasing the number of clinical trials across the UK, the study will:

Actor and Anthony Nolan Patron, Olivia Colman CBE, will be taking over the charity’s Instagram account @anthonynolancharity - live - on Wednesday 20 May at 8pm.

Olivia will be joined by one of our Ambassadors, journalist and TV presenter, Joe Crowley. Together, they will talk about their personal connections to Anthony Nolan, how they're coping during lockdown, and the charity’s emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.

There will be opportunities to ask Olivia and Joe questions.