Father’s bid to find stem cell match as charity sees decline in potential donors
A father of two has implored people to become potential stem cell donors as his deadline for finding a donor approaches.
Peter McCleave was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2017 and told that he has seven years to find a match for a lifesaving stem cell donation.
But after a four-year global search, the 43-year-old is yet to find a donor.
As the deadline approaches, Mr McCleave has encouraged people to register with the international blood cancer charity DKMS.
The charity said that since the pandemic started it has seen a “sharp decline” in the number of new people signing up to its register.
Jonathan Pearce chief executive of DKMS UK, said: “We need more people to come forward to become blood stem cell donors.
“We have witnessed a sharp decline in registrations since the pandemic started.
“The more people we have on the register, the more chance there is that a donor could be a potential lifesaver for someone with blood cancer.
“You’ve got it in you to make a difference this Blood Cancer Awareness Month. You can support Peter, and others like him, by simply registering with DKMS for your home swab kit.”
Did you know? 🤔
If you are between the ages of 17 and 55, you can register with us as a potential blood stem cell donor. You’ll then stay on the register until you turn 61.
That’s a HUGE number of people in the UK who could become potential lifesavers! pic.twitter.com/LczepWUclw— DKMS UK (@DKMS_uk) September 3, 2021
DKMS said that Mr McCleave, from Cheshire is planning to take part in a wing-walk on Saturday to raise awareness for the 2,000 people each year who need to find a blood stem cell donor.
Mr McCleave, who used to work in investment banking, told the PA news agency: “I completed Ironman Wales September 2016 and two days after the race, ended up in hospital with pneumonia, sepsis and Legionnaires’ disease.
“Subsequent follow-up doctors’ appointments tracked my recovery, which was not going to plan, this led to a diagnosis of myeloma four months later and a prognosis of seven years.
“I have been on chemo ever since and have had a stem cell transplant using my own cells. But if I can find a donor, the seven-year prognosis can optimistically be extended.”
Knowing blood cancer symptoms saves lives.
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Have watch and please RT because someone out there needs this information right now.#ThisIsBloodCancer #BCAM2021 pic.twitter.com/xvuBQLL0Zb— Blood Cancer UK (@bloodcancer_uk) September 6, 2021
The father of two boys, eight-year-old Seb and 11-year-old Max, added: “Because my family heritage of Chinese Portuguese, Irish and English is a very rare blend, it is more difficult to find a match.
“Anyone of a minority ethnic background will find it more difficult, because there are fewer ethnic minority groups represented on the register.
“A lack of diversity underpins much of the work I do with DKMS.”
On the wing-walk, he added: “We need to engage more people to register and this is a great way to capture people’s imaginations and make them aware of how they can save a life today through a simple cheek swab.”
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