A campaign to get more people on a lifesaving stem cell register has seen an incredible 2,078 people join.
Throughout September some of Leicestershire’s best-known organisations and businesses have pledged their support for Pass It On Leicester, run by the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign (RBLC).
Each participating organisation held a recruitment drive and hosted fun events to raise awareness of RBLC and Anthony Nolan, which runs the UK register. It is the first time that an entire city has joined together to help boost the UK’s stem cell register and one of the largest events of its kind.
The campaign’s grand finale was hosted at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) yesterday where more than 270 students signed up to be part of the Anthony Nolan stem cell register.
The event started with a colourful parade led by Rik and wife Kas plus the sounds of DMU Gospel Choir followed by DMU Square Mile, students, volunteers, Demon Media and sports team members to Regent College where they collected the Pass It On flag – and were joined by Leicester City mascot Filbert the Fox.
The parade headed back to DMU where sign up stations had been set up outside the campus centre, which were soon filled by people wanting to join the register.
Among them was Kezia Oldershaw, who has just started studying children’s nursing. She said: “I didn't know about it until I came to campus this morning and obviously me going into children's nursing and the medical field I wanted to do anything I could to help."
"I didn't realise how easy it is," added MBA student Ahmad. "I would recommend anyone to sign up, it's easy and you could save a life."
Callum Kirkwood, Leicester City’s sports engagement assistant, had a close friend who has survived both childhood leukaemia and blood cancer. “I will support anything like this, it’s important and obviously with what happened to my friend I know how important it is."
The register is used to match people desperately in need of a transplant and anyone who signs up could potentially save someone’s life.
Volunteer Anisa Mahmood, a Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science student, said: "We have been really busy since before we were supposed to start at 10am! People keep coming to join which is great."
A delighted Rik and Kas announced the grand total at a celebration of the Pass It On month in Leicester last night. Rik said: "To see so many young people inspired to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register to help people with blood cancer is nothing short of amazing."
David Hollis, manager of DMU Square Mile, said: “We were incredibly proud to be part of the Pass It On campaign and delighted with the response to the big finale!
“It’s had such a fantastic response from people across Leicester and Leicestershire. Rik and Kas and their work are nothing short of inspirational."
Posted on Thursday 1 October 2015