Every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer such as leukaemia. For many, a blood stem cell transplant is their only chance of life but finding a donor is far from easy for many and a transplant is no soft option or miracle cure. Only half of those that undergo a transplant survive beyond five years and even successful transplants come with years of treatment and challenging times for patients and their families.

For over 2,300 people each year who need transplant, Anthony Nolan gives real hope for the future. The charity works with partners across the country and around the world on developing its donor register to help more people find a better match; they invest in ground-breaking research to reduce the need for transplants and improve their success; and explore new ways to support patients and their families on their long and difficult journey from diagnosis to recovery. But they still cannot help everyone who needs it and every year 700 people lose their battle without finding a match. This needs to stop.

Anthony Nolan invests in three areas: Register, Research, and Recovery. Combining cutting-edge research with better care and an ever-expanding group of stem cell donors willing to step up if called saves more lives and makes a positive and lasting difference to thousands of families everywhere.

Without its incredible volunteers, Anthony Nolan simply couldn’t do what they do. There are many different ways in which Circle Sq. members can volunteer their time and offer practical support to the charity. In return, you’ll get to meet new people, gain new skills, find a sense of purpose – and feel good knowing you’ve helped give people with blood cancer the chance to live.

Be a Stem Cell Courier

Once a person donates stem cells they need to reach their recipient within 72 hours. Anthony Nolan relies on a brilliant team of volunteers to take the stem cells where they need to go. And that could be anywhere in the world. A trip might take just an hour travelling between London clinics, or it could require an overnight stay for international pick-ups. So you’ll need to be prepared to commit a lot of time and energy. One thing’s for sure though – you’ll find the whole experience very rewarding indeed.

You need to be:

• Under 75 (their insurance policy is not eligible for people over the age of 75)
• Able to attend an initial training session and then bi-annual training days
• In good shape. Couriering involves carrying a heavy medical transplant box and sometimes travelling for long distances
• Flexible, and have lots of spare time during the week. Transplants can be scheduled or cancelled at short notice.
• Based in London, Manchester or Sheffield.

Become an education volunteer

Inspire young people to become life savers by giving presentations to 16–18 year-olds about the importance of donating stem cells, blood and organs via The Hero Project programme. Volunteers are trained to deliver inspirational sessions explaining what’s involved and how to register as a donor.

Volunteer as a donor visitor

Support remarkable donors to have the best possible experience when they’re donating, giving them the important information they need through the process. This role requires excellent communication skills; you’ll need to be able to listen to the donor, empathise with them and then email feedback to the Anthony Nolan team within 24 hours of your visit. You’ll also need good coping skills. Very rarely, a problem may arise during a donation. You’ll need to be able to comfort the donor. You will always have the full support of the Anthony Nolan team, who can guide you through any situation.

Donations take place either at one of Anthony Nolan’s three London collection centres, or at our collection centre in Sheffield. Volunteers are trained to give important information to the donor on the day of their donation, and answer any questions they may have. Visits take anything from 10 minutes to an hour – it depends on how talkative the donor is! Ideally, volunteers commit to at least two days a month to visit our donors. All visits take place Monday to Thursday during the day, so you will need to be free during normal working hours. Visits are usually in the morning but you may also need to meet after lunch. As it can take several months to complete the training to be a donor visitor, it is expected that you continue in the role for at least a year, attend initial training sessions and an annual training day.

Recruiting new donors

We recruit 16-30 year olds onto our stem cell donor register and you can encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join up here: www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save- life/donate-your-stem-cells.

Our scientific research has shown that younger donors give each patient a better chance of recovery, and young men are most likely to be selected by clinicians as they typically produce a greater number of life-saving stem cells. It is also vital that we continue to increase the diversity of our donors, as patients from minority ethnic backgrounds struggle to find a match compared to patients from a white north European background.

Connecting with companies

Introductions to decision-makers at companies can make a great difference. Our corporate partnerships can bring financial support as well as encouraging employees to join the donor register and champion Anthony Nolan. We work closely with companies to ensure that we develop a true partnership and that they and their employees feel the benefit of supporting our work.

Championing our work

Across the UK people are spreading the word about how we save lives, encouraging people to join the register, and making more people aware of the help we can offer patients and their families. Can you share our stories and help spread the word? www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and- families/real-stories

Celebrity endorsement

Can you introduce us to celebrities, with whom our work will resonate? Genuine interest and involvement of famous supporters can introduce their fans and followers to what Anthony Nolan does, and help in gaining press coverage for our campaigns. For example, our Patron, Olivia Colman, hosts events, raises money, thanks stem cell donors, and encourages people to sign up to the register. Celebrities with a wide following can make a genuine contribution to our ability to save lives.

Financial Support

The Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register was the first of its kind in the world, and was only made possible through the generous financial support of a large number of people who responded to Shirley Nolan’s appeal.

Today, it is our amazing financial supporters that help us every day to find donor matches for more and more people with blood cancer, provide the care that means they can thrive, and fund the ground-breaking research that will have such an impact in the future.

Support can be a one-off gift, a regular contribution, taking on a challenge, pledging to leave a gift in your will or giving via a charitable trust, for example. Please do let us know if you would like to discuss any of these options.