He shoots, he scores! He saves a life! Hero England fan!
8 Jul. 2021This story is now making headlines, thanks to the selfless and generous attitude of Sam Astley, who opted to donate his stem cells instead of attending the England football match!
Sam decided to register as a stem cell donor, thank to our long term MDS UK Patient Support Group member Simon Wilkes, who was diagnosed with the rare blood cancer Myelodysplastic Syndromes several years ago.
After contacting MDS UK, Simon decided to fundraise for us, as well as Anthony Nolan, saving the lives of people with blood cancer, to raise awareness of his blood cancer, and the need for more stem cell donors.
Simon organised several recruitment drives over the years, registering numerous donors, including Sam Astley.
Simon's life was very sadly turned upside down, following the death of his son. Simon and his family heve been holding events in his memory, supporting both MDS UK and Anthony Nolan.
We have since heard that Sam was given tickets by EUFA2020 to watch the final! England football team Huge thank you on behalf of the blood cancer community!
And thanks to Simon for all his support.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news
More on Sam Astley who donated his stem cells on the night of the England football match and Simon Wilkes, who has MDS, and organised a recruitment drive to support MDS UK Patient Support Group and Anthony Nolan, saving the lives of people with blood cancer. So grateful to both for the absolutely amazing support, generosity and selflessness.
Thank you to all the papers and media The Independent BBC News London Evening Standard Daily Mail Good Morning Britain for running this amazing story.
And vivo, vivo sponsors for coming up with tickets to the final!
Gary Lineker thanks for all the support!
Please give this amazing couple a huge welcome England football team. He is saving lives for blood cancer.
And renewed thanks to Simon Wilkes who has the rare blood cancer MDS Myelodysplastic Syndromes and initiated the recruitment drive!
As well as raise awareness for stem cell donations with our brilliant colleagues from Anthony Nolan.'
More on Sam Astley who donated his stem cells on the night of the England football match and Simon Wilkes, who has MDS, and organised a recruitment drive to support MDS UK Patient Support Group and Anthony Nolan, saving the lives of people with blood cancer. So grateful to both for the absolutely amazing support, generosity and selflessness.
Thank you to all the papers and media The Independent BBC News London Evening Standard Daily Mail Good Morning Britain for running this amazing story.
And vivo, vivo sponsors for coming up with tickets to the final!
Gary Lineker thanks for all the support!
Please give this amazing couple a huge welcome England football team. He is saving lives for blood cancer.
And renewed thanks to Simon Wilkes who has the rare blood cancer MDS Myelodysplastic Syndromes and initiated the recruitment drive!
As well as raise awareness for stem cell donations with our brilliant colleagues from Anthony Nolan.'
Simon (who had MDS), wife Lynn, and sons Ben – as well as Olly (who very sadly took his own life a few years ago).
The family has been supporting and fundraising for MDS UK and Anthony Nolan for years.
