Leeds students near 200k stem cell signups

The drive is led by Anthony Nolan, the UK charity that matches patients with strangers willing to donate lifesaving stem cells.

The charity needs 35,000 people aged 16–30 to join its register in 2026 to ensure patients can find a suitable donor when they urgently need one.

New data from Anthony Nolan shows that people under 30 provide three-quarters (75 per cent) of stem cell donations for UK patients, yet they represent just 40 per cent of the charity’s register. That gap means recruiting young donors is essential to improving patients’ chances of survival.

Students at the university of Leeds are part of Marrow, Anthony Nolan’s network of university groups that recruit potential donors and raise awareness on campuses across the UK.

Founded in 1998, Marrow groups have now helped sign up almost 200,000 students to the stem cell register. This week, student volunteers nationwide are working together to reach the milestone of 200,000 potential lifesavers recruited via the student groups.

Young donors play a crucial role in saving lives. Research shows that stem cells from younger donors can lead to better transplant outcomes, which is why recruiting students and young adults is so important.

The impact of younger donors has already been significant. Since Anthony Nolan lowered its minimum donation age to 16 in 2012, more than 200 young people who previously would not have been eligible have gone on to donate their stem cells. On average, someone under 19 has helped give a patient a second chance at life every month since the change was introduced.

Anthony Nolan student volunteer Abi Foulerton said:‘I joined Leeds Marrow because I wanted to make a direct impact on patients’ lives.

"I hadn’t realised that most people in need of a stem cell transplant are unable to find a matching donor within their family.

"Once I learned this, it felt like a no-brainer to join the stem cell register and to recruit more stem cell donors.

"It feels incredible to know that we are close to recruiting 200K potential lifesavers.

"It shows that there is real hope for patients and highlights the powerful impact that student volunteering can have."

People can get involved by joining Marrow groups at their university or set up a marrow society if they don’t have one. The more active groups we have on campus, the more people we can reach out to and sign up!’

Cameron Fay, Universities Senior Manager at Anthony Nolan said, “Recruiting 200,000 potential donors is an extraordinary achievement. It reflects the dedication and passion of the thousands of students who have volunteered with Marrow over the past 27 years.

Marrow volunteers recruit one in four people who go on to donate through Anthony Nolan, making this network critical to our mission. Its impact is truly life-changing for patients in need of a stem cell transplant.

This milestone belongs to everyone who has been involved with Marrow at university - you’re part of a legacy that is saving lives.”

Becoming a lifesaver is quick and easy. To join, people need to fill out a short online form to request a swab pack that will be posted to them and can be returned once complete. Donors only have a slim chance of being called up to donate in the next five years but stay on the register until they are 61 to help those in need.

90% of people donate through a process called peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) which uses a machine to filter stem cells from the blood, while the other 10% donate through bone marrow taken from the hip. Both are pain free and require as little as hours or two nights in hospital respectively.

For more information or to join the register, please visit: https://www.anthonynolan.org.

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Further Information:

For more information, please contact [email protected]

About Anthony Nolan

Please note: Anthony Nolan changed its name in 2011 and is no longer known as Anthony Nolan Trust.

Anthony Nolan is a UK stem cell transplant charity with 50 years of expertise in uniting science and people to push the boundaries of what can be achieved for blood cancer and blood disorder patients.

Its world-leading stem cell register matches potential donors to patients in need of transplants. It carries out cell and gene therapy research to increase transplant success and supports patients through their transplant journeys.

Anthony Nolan helps four people in need of a transplant a day, giving more people a second chance at life. But the charity won’t stop until all patients have access to the treatment they need, so many more survive.

Stem cells hold enormous potential and have the power to help people with blood cancers and blood disorders. This potential inspires everything Anthony Nolan does. Driven by patients, backed by stem cell donors, and powered by science, the charity won’t stop until the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all has been uncovered.

Join Anthony Nolan’s register or support its research. Together, with your help, Anthony Nolan can unlock the answers inside us anthonynolan.org

What is a stem cell transplant?

If a patient has a condition that affects their bone marrow or blood, then a stem cell transplant may be their best chance of survival. Doctors will give new, healthy stem cells to the patient via their bloodstream, where they begin to grow and create healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.