Henry Smith MP supporting Anthony Nolan campaign to find more young lifesavers

Henry Smith MP supporting Anthony Nolan campaign to find more young lifesavers

Henry Smith MP has given his support to the Anthony Nolan campaign’s ‘Save a Life at 16’ initiative.

The campaign is aiming to persuade HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to include details of the Anthony Nolan bone marrow donor register, when it writes to young people with their National Insurance numbers in advance of their 16th birthdays.

Henry said;

“I am pleased to support the Anthony Nolan campaign in their work to save the lives of more blood cancer patients.

“Anthony Nolan are attempting to persuade HMRC to send details of their bone marrow donor register, when it sends people their National Insurance details in the run-up to their 16th birthday.

“My Mum died of leukaemia so this is a personal issue for me. If you would like to sign the Anthony Nolan ‘Save a Life at 16’ petition, please visit www.anthonynolan.org/savealifeat16.”

The charity has pledged to cover all associated costs and hopes this would encourage more 16-year-olds to join the register. This is important as young people are more likely to be chosen as stem cell donors by transplant doctors.

The charity hopes that if young people are informed about the chance to save the lives of people with cancers such as leukaemia, many more will step forward to register, with an increase of up to 25 per cent in the number of young donors predicted.

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said;

“Every year in the UK around 2,000 people with blood cancer need stem cell donations from a stranger. We believe young people are passionate about helping others, but they also need to be well informed about the chances open to them.

“By agreeing to our proposal, the government can make it easier for people as young as 16 to become lifesavers.”

Henry added;

“I have written to the Chief Executive of HM Revenue & Customs, and I will be in touch with all who have contacted me about this issue when I have receive a response. If you would like to be updated when I receive a reply from HMRC, please contact me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or email me via [email protected].”