One match can change everything. And the more squad members we have, the more lives we can save.
We’re building the team to form 1 Million United – that’s one million of us united in a common goal to give a second chance of life.
Comment below if you’re already part of our squad 👊
✨ We’ve got a fresh new look to reflect everything we do! ✨
💚 Driven by patients
🫶 Backed by incredible stem cell donors
🧑🏿🔬 Powered by science
We’ve also updated our strapline to ‘Saving lives through stem cells.’ Why? Because there are so many amazing ways stem cells can help even more patients.
And we won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all.
“I couldn’t believe I was actually going to meet the person who literally gave something that meant Miles could survive, and then to find out that he’s at my workplace!? We would have passed each other so many times without knowing we were connected.”
When Miles received his stem cell transplant aged just one, after being diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, his parents Helen and David had no idea that the stranger that saved their son’s life was working at the same place as David!
Helen reflects on the moment they found out. “All we knew about Miles’ donor was that he was a male in the UK. We’d wanted to get in touch with him for so long, so after the two years anonymity period, we contacted Anthony Nolan to ask for his contact details. We pretty much got his details the same day, and immediately looked him up on Facebook. I saw some of his posts, and thought ‘Does he work at the same place as David?’ – It turned out that he did!”
David arranged to meet Jake, Miles’ donor, at work for a coffee, before later introducing him to Miles, who just happened to be at the onsite nursery that day.
“It was crazy. You’ve got so many feelings before you meet - you don’t know what they’re going to be like so there’s a bit of apprehension, and all you want to say is ‘thank you, thank you, thank you’ for an hour! but obviously you can’t do that, so it’s basically just having a normal conversation with a guy... it’s just so surreal.”
Both families have now become close friends, enjoying dog walks and Sunday roasts together. And most importantly, Miles loves Jake!
“He calls Jake his doctor, because he doesn’t quite understand yet. It’s been so amazing to meet him, and he’ll be part of our loves forever now – he’s agreed to be Miles’ godfather. He’s so humble about it, but to us he saved Miles’ life, and I don’t know how we’re ever going to thank him enough. He gave us everything that day, absolutely everything."
Don't leave it til the 95th minute - sign up to the stem cell register before your 31st birthday, and one day you could be someone's lifesaver.
Find out more via the link in our bio ⚽
#Euros
Taking pride in saving lives 💚
Today we joined thousands of people at @prideinlondon celebrating #diversitytogether . It doesn’t matter what your sexuality is, who you are or who you love - if you’re aged 16-30 you can join the stem cell register, and one day you could be someone’s second chance of life.
A big shout out to everyone who took the time to chat to us today - pop us a DM if you have any questions about signing up!
“I’ve officially joined the club, and completed my stem cell donation!”
“Someone out there has had a life changing diagnosis of blood cancer and knowing that I have been given the chance to potentially give the gift of a cancer free life is incredible! I am pleased to report everything has gone well and my stem cells will shortly be off to my recipient.
I would like to thank my partner for inspiring me to do this after donating stem cells himself, and being here to support(and inject me!) throughout this process. 🫶
If you’re reading this post, I can imagine there are lots of questions so ask away, but… What would I say to someone thinking about joining the register? DO IT!!! What have you got to lose? 5 minutes to do the initial screening, can result in YOU saving someone’s life - how amazing is that!”
Just like Robbie’s, your cells could be a literal lifesaver too. What are you waiting for? Join the register today via the link in our bio.
Image description: Robbie smiles while sitting on a hospital bed, whilst donating his stem cells
Join Zak and become part of #1MillionUnited ⚽
The more people we have on the stem cell register, the more shots we have at saving a life.
Sign up today via the link in our bio
Going through a stem cell transplant can be incredibly hard.
The stem cell transplant process is an amazing thing, giving many people a second chance of life that would be otherwise impossible, but the treatment itself can be really tough - mentally as well as physically.
Today Nick, a clinical psychologist, talks about three signs of PTSD that you may notice in yourself or your loved ones.
Please know that we’re here to support you every step of the way - and if you or your loved ones need any support, please call us on 0303 303 0303, or email patientinfo@anthonynolan.org
#PTSDAwarenessDay@newcastlehosps
"Not only is Lily my sister, but she’s also my best friend, and I will forever be grateful to her donor for giving her a second chance at life.”
Ruby and Lily have always been close, but when Lily was diagnosed with Philadelphia + acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2019, Ruby was there by her side every step of the way. And if that wasn’t enough, Ruby decided to take on the London Marathon earlier this year in aid of Anthony Nolan, and raised over £5700!
With the help of people like Ruby, we’re now able to help four people every single day - giving them that second chance of life, just like Lily received.
Blood stem cells are a crucial part of the stem cell transplant process – but what do you know about them? 🔬
Pat, our Science Writer, explains more about what they do, and the impact donating them can have on both recipients and donors.
Our research teams are constantly looking at new ways of boosting the natural powers of these incredible cells, and finding new ways to save lives through stem cells.
We need you.
The EUROs might be on right now, but there’s a much bigger team you can join - #1MillionUnited ⚽
We’re calling on football fans across the UK to sign up to the stem cell register.
The more people who join, the more matches we can make - and ultimately, the more lives we can save.
Sign up now via the link in our bio.
Who’s in?
