Erewash MP Jessica Lee has today called on her constituents to support Carl and Darren Travis, two inspirational brothers who are organising a fundraising and awareness day for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan on Friday 27th July at Ilkeston Football Club.

Carl was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer, twelve years ago and doctors told him that he needed a blood stem cell (or bone marrow) transplant to survive. Luckily, his younger brother Darren was found to be a match, and Carl’s lifesaving transplant took place.

When Carl started volunteering at Nottingham City Hospital’s haematology unit, he found out that only one in four people found a matching donor in their families. Other patients relied on Anthony Nolan to find them an unrelated matching donor from their register of remarkable volunteers.

Carl said:

“"I was very, very lucky, I see people suffering and dying while they are waiting for a stem cell transplant. We really need to raise awareness and get as many people as possible on the Anthony Nolan donor register."

Miss Lee, whose Erewash constituency includes Ilkeston, adds:

 “Blood cancers such as Leukaemia can affect anyone, at any time, but they can survive – Carl is living proof of that. What’s clear from talking to both Carl and Darren is that whatever you do, whether you donate money or join the Anthony Nolan register, you’re helping other people like Carl to beat blood cancer. I hope that the whole of the Erewash community takes the opportunity to do that by coming along on 27th July and supporting this fantastic charity.”

Jayne Cromwell, Head of Community Fundraising for Anthony Nolan, adds:

“It costs £100 to recruit each new donor, so we need vital funds to grow the register, provide more matches and help save more lives. We’re so grateful to both Darren and Carl for helping us to raise money and awareness – we quite simply couldn’t do what we do without supporters like them.”