Steve 'Plunkys' Plunkett All Stars 2021 Annual Football Match, for Anthony Nolan

NBRA would like to show support to a close associate of ours, Steve Plunkett, on his incredible work for charity, as his annual football match for Anthony Nolan charity is fast approaching.

Steve 'Plunky' Plunkett's charity football match is taking place on the 27 May 2021 and are on the road to hitting their donation target - NBRA would love to help push this further by reaching out to our community!

It is all for a great cause, Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancer, such as leukaemia, by matching them to people willing to donate their bone marrow, or blood stem cells, for a lifesaving transplants. It also carries out pioneering research to increase stem cell transplant success, and supports patients through their transplant journeys.

Rowena Bentley, Community Fundraising Manager at Anthony Nolan, said:

"The work that Steve Plunkett is a doing makes such a big difference to people with blood cancer. It costs ￡40 to recruit each person to the Anthony Nolan register, so fundraising is a vital part of our lifesaving work. The more fundraising we do, the more potential donors we can recruit onto the stem cell register, and the more lives we can save."

If you would like to donate, then follow this link to Steve's Just Giving page, every donation helps.

For more information about Anthony Nolan, stem cell transplants and key statistical figures as to why donations are so important - you can continue reading this article.

Anthony Nolan - Without You

What is a stem cell transplant?

If a patient has a condition that affects their bone marrow or blood, then a stem cell transplant may be their best chance of survival. Doctors will give new, healthy stem cells to the patient via their bloodstream, where they begin to grow and create healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Key statistics

• About 2,000 people in the UK need a stem cell transplant from a stranger every year
• 90% of donors donate through PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell collection). This is a simple, outpatient procedure similar to giving blood
• We need more young men to sign up, as they are most likely to be chosen to donate but make up just 15% of the register
• We need more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to sign up. Only 60% of transplant recipients receive the best match. This drops dramatically to around 20% (one in five of transplant recipients) if you're from a Black, Asian or ethnic minority background.
• It costs ￡40 to add each new donor to the register so we always need financial support
• To join the Anthony Nolan register, you must be 16-30 and healthy. Anthony Nolan’s world-leading Research Institute has shown younger donors offer better outcomes for patients.

For more information about Anthony Nolan, contact the communications team at [email protected] or call 0303 303 0303.