Blues Against Blood Cancer
Andy Mitchell, an avid Everton fan, has set up the initiative "Blues Against Blood Cancer" to encourage football fans, from all clubs, to register as potential stem cell donors.
In 2008, Andy himself selflessly donated his own stem cells to a patient in need of a transplant.
He explains "I donated via PBSC at the London Clinic over a two-day period. It was incredibly straightforward. I’d heard that some people report aches and pains from the GCSF injections you have in the week before donating, but I just felt as though I’d played football or done some gardening."
His donation not only saved someone's life, but had a huge impact on Andy's life too.
"The whole experience made me realise that life was far too short to be doing a job that didn’t make me happy. So, in 2010, I put plans in place to go to university and train to become an Early Years teacher.
In 2011 I received an anonymous ‘thank you’ card from my recipient. I felt a huge sense of pride that my donation had been successful.
My recipient then put the wheels in motion to arrange for us to meet. When Paul and I met, finally putting a name and a face to the whole process was very humbling. I fully realised that I had helped to save the life of someone’s son, brother, uncle, husband, step-dad, colleague and best friend."
Making matches is a numbers game
When a former Everton football player's son was diagnosed with blood cancer, Andy decided to focus on raising awareness of the stem cell register within the football community.
Andy explains "Now, Blues Against Blood Cancer are here to educate and inform fans of all clubs about the need for more people to register as stem cell donors. The more fans on the register, equals more matches, equals more lives saved. Don’t just go to the match. BE the match."
How you can help
Every 14 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer or blood disorder. You could be their lifesaver if you’re aged 17-55 and in generally good health.
Please join the stem cell register today, to ensure all patients have a chance at finding their lifesaving match.