Wirral nurse urges people to become blood cancer donors

On Tuesday, May 28, Arrowe Park Hospital hosted a large-scale stem cell swabbing event which saw hospital staff, patients, and visitors volunteer themselves to see if they match potential recipients battling blood cancer.

The day marked World Blood Cancer Day.

Participants provided cheek cell samples, swabbed inside their mouths by volunteers working for Tilbury Douglas, a UK building company that partnered with cancer charity DKMS in collaboration for the event.

Participants provided cheek cell samples, swabbed inside their mouths by volunteers (Image: Tilbury Douglas)

The cells contain vital genetic information crucial for matching through DKMS’s international database.

Registered individuals will be contacted later if identified as potential matches, and DKMS will initiate the life-saving process.

Elaine Lewis, an advanced nurse practitioner at Arrowe Park Hospital, eagerly volunteered to be swabbed.

Her 20-year-old son, Tom, battled Hodgkin Lymphoma, but was fortunate to find a donor.

saw hospital staff, patients, and visitors volunteered themselves (Image: Tilbury Douglas)

She said: “As a mother, I understand the emotional journey families face during such challenging times.

“It doesn’t take long to do and yet it can make such a huge difference.”

Being on the registry signifies a commitment to potentially save a life. While there is no guarantee of donation requests, each registration amplifies optimism. Currently, 2,000 people in the UK seek their stem cell match.

Martin Horne, Regional Director NW Tilbury Douglas, said: “We’re bringing the mass swab event to Arrowe Park Hospital, where Tilbury Douglas is delivering their new Urgent and Emergency Care Upgrade Programme.

“Our colleagues have received stem cell transplants, and it saved their lives, emphasizing why it is so important for us to raise the profile of this critical register. Together, we can bring about positive change and give a second chance of survival to those in need.”