The Virgin Money London Marathon today announced pioneering blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan as its Official Charity partner for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon.
As the Official Charity partner for the iconic London race, Anthony Nolan is hoping to raise £1 million through the efforts of its runners in 2014: funds which will directly impact on patients’ lives.
Around 1,700 people in the UK are currently waiting for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. But Anthony Nolan can only find a match for half of those in desperate need.
The charity needs to grow its register of potential lifesavers to make more matches and save more lives. The money Anthony Nolan hopes to raise from its Official Charity status will fund the recruitment of 10,000 new donors, specifically men aged 16–30 who are the most likely to become lifesavers.
Anthony Nolan donors say that giving their bone marrow (or blood stem cells) to potentially cure someone’s cancer, is their proudest moment; comparable to a marathon runner taking that final step over the finish line. Anthony Nolan’s 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon team is set to be its biggest ever, with every runner helping to cure blood cancer mile by mile.
Henny Braund, Anthony Nolan’s Chief Executive, said: ‘I am delighted to announce that Anthony Nolan is the Official Charity of the Virgin Money London Marathon 2014. The money raised through this partnership will have a lasting impact on the lives of people with blood cancer. Currently, we can only find a match for half of those who come to us in desperate need of a lifesaving transplant. In order to make more matches and save more lives, we need to increase our register of donors. It costs £100 to add each person to the register, so the £1 million we hope to raise through the Virgin Money London Marathon partnership will give people with blood cancer the chance of life.’
Ms Braund adds: ‘In 2014 we will have our largest ever team of runners taking to the streets of London, helping to cure blood cancer mile by mile. You can be part of that team and be part of that cure, by visiting www.milebymile.org. Remember to enter the ballot on the 29th April and tick Anthony Nolan and we hope to cheer you to the finish line.’
London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher said: "We are delighted to announce Anthony Nolan as our Official Charity for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon. Anthony Nolan is a fantastic charity that provides lifesaving help to people with blood cancer.
"The London Marathon is now recognised worldwide as a record-breaking event for charity fundraising, and we are pleased to support Anthony Nolan in its efforts to raise £1 million to recruit 10,000 new donors."
Anthony Nolan is a pioneering charity which saves the lives of people with blood cancer. Every day we use our register of donors to match them to patients who need a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. The 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon will see Anthony Nolan field its largest ever team of runners. Ballot entry opens on the 29th April, so visit www.virginlondonmarathon.com. If you miss out, the charity has guaranteed places available so please visit its dedicated website www.milebymile.org to apply and to find out more about how you could help cure blood cancer.
The announcement of the Official Charity partnership for the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon coincides with Anthony Nolan’s 40th anniversary.