Rock legend urges MyNewtown readers to help save lives, like his

A Welsh rock legend is urging MyNewtown readers to support his campaign to take a simple test that could determine whether they can become lifesaving stem cell donors.

The Love Hope Strength Foundation (LHS), established by The Alarm rock band’s frontman Mike Peters (65), and his wife Jules (57), has launched a new campaign called ‘One in a Million’ to double the number of people signed up through the charity on international stem cell registers.

The charity, which has already encouraged 250,000 people to register as potential stem cell donors in partnership with the international blood cancer charity DKMS, has set itself the ambitious target of doubling that figure over the next two years.

DKMS UK is a charity that fights blood cancer by registering potential blood stem cell donors and raising awareness.

Mike Peters was diagnosed with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia), a form of cancer of the blood and bone marrow, nearly 30 years ago. He now needs a stem cell transplant since a Richter’s Syndrome diagnosis in April this year. A clinical trial at The Christie in Manchester temporarily got the Welsh musician into complete remission, but this rare and aggressive lymphoma returned last month.

“People who desperately need a stem cell transplant have to find the perfect match for the best result,” said Mike, the Love Hope Strength founder and honorary president.

“Imagine if you could help someone by being their ‘One in a Million’ life-saving match. We all search for some kind of legacy, and what a legacy this could be. Being a donor requires so little effort and the reward is immense.

“I was supposed to be preparing for a stem cell transplant now, exactly 29 years since I was first told I had the disease. Unfortunately, Richter’s Syndrome has aggressively broken down my hard-earned remission and denied me the opportunity to have this potentially life-saving procedure. So close, yet so far.

“Despite this set-back, it’s not the end of the road, and I’m on a new chemotherapy regime which could be a bridge to revolutionary new CAR-T therapy and, if I regain my complete remission status, then a stem cell transplant.

“The future is uncertain, but I still have many options and as I navigate those, I want to make sure I help other blood cancer suffers like me.”

Jules, chair of Love Hope Strength, said: “Although this latest set-back has been a devasting blow for our family, it affords us more time to find the best life-saving match for Mike.

“During this difficult time, we want to put our energy into helping others find that perfect match, now and in the future. So please donate a cheek swab and get on the list to help a stranger. What a legacy this will be for everyone if we can boost the register by a further 250,000 over the next two years.”

Michael Gallagher, DKMS spokesperson, said: “Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer. Currently, only 60% of patients will find a matching stem cell donor, making the need for new donors critical.

“We want to help people with blood cancer receive a stem cell transplant and have the best possible chance for a healthier future.

“Becoming a donor is simple. You just order a free cheek swab from the comfort of your own home, and send it back to us with your sample to get on the register.”

Anyone between 17 and 55 years can be added to the stem cell register once they’ve answered a few health questions to ensure they’re cleared to donate. More details of how to order a swab kit online are here.

In 90% of cases, if a donor on the register is found to be a match, stem cells are collected directly from the bloodstream in a procedure that’s similar to giving blood.

The collected stem cells are transplanted to the patient in a procedure similar to a blood transfusion.

Blood cancers are the fifth most common type of cancer, with more than 12 million new cases diagnosed worldwide every year. They are the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK with nearly 13,000 people dying from blood cancer in the UK every year.

At any one time there are around 2,000 people in the UK in need of a stem cell transplant.

To order a swab kit click on this link http://dkms.org.uk/lhs_24