Leicester Heroes event aims to recruit hundreds of new potential stem cell donors
The University has teamed up with The Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign to host an event on Tuesday 25 October which aims to recruit hundreds of new potential donors to the Anthony Nolan Stem Cell Donor Register
The Leicester Heroes event on campus will also celebrate seven unsung heroes from across the region who have been chosen to receive a Leicester Hero Award and be treated to a VIP lunch.
A ‘Leicester Hero’ is someone who has enriched the lives of others, has shown dedication and selflessness, has made a special and significant impact on an individual, families, or the community at large and has gone 'above and beyond' to serve and inspire others.
The seven winning Heroes selected by a panel of representatives are Martyn Stones, Ranjit Thaliwal, Rebecca Spilane, Sophie Cottis-Allan, Kathy Carter, June Hawkins and David Rollins.
They will be presented with their awards on Tuesday 25 October and will also be treated to a three-course lunch alongside special VIPs.
Alongside the registration marquee, the event on campus will also feature live music, a magician and market stalls selling local produce.
Blood cancers affect 38,000 people every year in the UK, from children to the elderly, and common treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, in some cases, a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Anyone aged between 16-30 can sign up to the Anthony Nolan Register by simply filling in a form and spitting into a tube. The process should only take ten minutes.
Professor Paul Boyle, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted to be working with Rik Basra again for this great Leicester Heroes event which will recruit more young, committed stem cell donors to the Anthony Nolan Register. I would encourage anyone between 16-30 to come down to the University of Leicester campus and sign up to the register as they could one day save someone’s life.
“It was hard not to be inspired by the nominations received for the Leicester Hero awards and I was impressed with the diverse range of applications – young and old. I’m really looking forward to meeting the winners on the day of the event.”