LIFESAVERS WANTED: Lincoln Residents Urged to Register as Potential Blood Stem Cell Donors

Peter McCleave, from Cheshire who was diagnosed with Myeloma is urgently searching for their lifesaver. Peter McCleave is appealing for people in the local area to register as a potential blood stem cell donor with blood cancer charity, DKMS.

DKMS is holding a blood stem cell donor registration event from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 April at Car Store, Newark Road from 17:00 – 20:00 (Friday and Saturday) and 09:00 – 12:00 (Sunday) to help save Peter’s life. The charity is encouraging as many people aged between 17-55 and in general good health to attend and register as a potential lifesaver.

Blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK. For most people there is no single cure. But, a blood stem cell donation from a genetically similar person can offer the best treatment and a second chance at life. Peter urgently needs a donation of blood stem cells from someone with a matching tissue-type to treat his multiple myeloma. Despite a global search sadly a matching donor has not yet been found. Blood cancer charity DKMS is supporting to help find a donor for him and others seeking matching donors.

Peter was in good health until his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with leukemia in March this year. Peter, who is a father of two, loves life in the countryside and has worked at dairy farms for many years. He can often be found taking photos, walking, and travelling around the world. However, his life has been put on hold since his diagnosis.

Peter said: “I have no intention of the seven years the doctors have given me being the only I have left in this world. Everyone has it in their heart to help but sometimes life gets in the way. I’ve got two kids and a wife, you could help save my life and others in need of a matching donor by registering as a potential lifesaver – please don’t hold off, every second counts. I truly believe there are more good people out there than bad and I really need your help.”

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Only 1 in 3 people with a blood cancer (and in need of a transplant) will find a matching blood stem cell donor within their own family – this means 2 in 3 need to look outside of this and rely on a stranger to register with a charity like DKMS.

Felicity Healey from Car Store said: “A similar event took place in Worcester last month in aid of Oscar Saxelby-Lee, 5 years old, who has T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The turnout was incredible with over 4,000 attendees now registered in the city; Oscar received the best news shortly after- he got his match! I was unbelievably inspired by the community, I got in touch with DKMS and put ourselves forward to host an event in the hope of saving Peter’s life and potential others in the future. Just think how powerful this could be!.”

Sian Fullerton, Donor Recruitment Manager at DKMS UK said: “Peter is in desperate need for a blood stem cell transplant. The people of Lincoln I encourage you to come down to the event and register as a potential lifesaver. In doing this selfless act you will go on standby to save the life of someone also suffering this devastating disease”

To register one potential blood stem cell donor, it costs £40. DKMS relies on monetary donations to help cover this cost. Whilst the NHS is very supportive, it falls to charities like us to reach out to those lifesavers - please support us in registering more potential lifesavers and donate online.

The Lincoln Car Store team