Anthony Nolan

Today we’re excited to unveil our new look! Our refreshed brand reflects how we’ve broadened our scope – uniting people and science to unlock new lifesaving treatments and ensuring that patients have a better quality of life after transplant. As a result, we’re connecting with more people than ever – including stem cell donors, patients, fundraisers, healthcare professionals and researchers. We’ve also updated our strapline from ‘Saving the lives of people with blood cancer’ to ‘Saving lives through stem cells.’ Why? Because there are so many amazing ways stem cells can help even more patients. We won’t stop until we’ve uncovered the lifesaving potential of the cells inside us all.

“There simply are not enough young Asian and Black people on the Anthony Nolan register. This is partly down to lack of understanding and education, so it is important that as an organisation already working with people from the ethnic minority, we create this awareness around stem cell donation.” We’ve been working closely with One Voice Blackburn to raise awareness of the stem cell register, as part of their mission to work with marginalised communities in the local area. Today Nazia, Health Manager, explains more about what the group, now a charity, does, and how they support our lifesaving work. “One Voice Blackburn started as a community group in 2011. We seek to challenge inequalities that exist in the hard-to-reach communities and some of our work has been ground-breaking! Our ethos is to uplift marginalised communities.” “There are some barriers to working with these communities – marginalised communities are often conservative, but it’s also important to recognise that there are many health inequalities within the communities.” Thanks to our partnership with One Voice Blackburn, over 180 new potential donors have joined the stem cell register, with over 80% coming from a minority ethnic background. This vital work has meant we’re able to spread the word about stem cell donations, and find more lifesaving matches for patients in need of a stem cell transplant.

Finding genetically matching donors for patients in need of a stem cell transplant is a crucial part of what we do. But we know some patients – particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds – can have a harder time finding well-matched unrelated donors. This is because they are more likely to have rare, or even unique, tissue types. A less well-matched donor can mean a greater risk of side effects. However, a new type of treatment has been making waves in the world of stem cell transplants over the past few years, by potentially providing a way for patients to receive less well-matched donor stem cells without an increased risk of side effects. Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers, and also used to condition a patient before they get their transplant – helping to remove their bone marrow in preparation for the donated stem cells. Recent clinical trials have shown that, surprisingly, it also helps to give this chemotherapy drug after receiving the transplant too. This is because cyclophosphamide helps to suppress the immune system so it doesn’t attack friendly cells in the crucial early stages of a stem cell transplant. This treatment method, called post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy), is so far showing very encouraging results. One study from the US has shown that PTCy can help patients with a slightly mismatched donor see the same probability of a positive outcome from their transplant as patients with well-matched donors. We’re keenly watching out for the results from clinical trials so we can learn more about how it could be best used for patients. If it lives up to its potential, PTCy could have a huge impact on the way we perform stem cell transplants, and could make a big difference for patients from minority ethnic backgrounds. Read more about this recent research here: https://bit.ly/3y2XfrZ

Ever wondered how our teams have time to discover ground-breaking new science, and find new ways to save lives? Over the years, our research teams have invested in machines such as this, enabling them to work more efficiently and accurately, as they continue to push boundaries and improve the future for the patients of today and the patients of tomorrow. Find out more about our research: https://bit.ly/46bHHP9

Shirley Nolan created the world's first stem cell register 50 years ago, in the hope of finding her son a stem cell donor. Sadly, Anthony never found his match, but thanks to Shirley, over 26,500 stem cell donations have since taken place in his name. To mark our 50th anniversary, we've released a special edition of Shirley's memoir – “A Kiss Through Glass”. Shirley’s memoir is deeply personal, explaining everything that took place as she fought to find ways to save her son Anthony, and how her legacy has had a lasting impact on so many others with the formation of the world’s first stem cell register. The 2024 edition is available from today, and includes new insights and comments from those touched by her work, including stem cell recipients and donors, and a foreword by Henny Braund, MBE – Anthony Nolan’s Chief Executive. Find out more and buy your copy today: https://bit.ly/4frPnRE

“I’m currently in my first year studying Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts UAL. I have recently produced a self-portrait called ‘Cancer’s Reflection’ which shows a time I was undergoing intensive treatment for leukaemia.” Sorrel was just two when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and when there were no matches on the stem cell register, her medical team turned to cord donations to try to find a solution. Thankfully, doctors found a partial match from a cord donation all the way in Japan! Whilst Sorrel doesn’t remember a huge amount about her treatment and transplant because of her young age, she still appreciates that the experience is a big part of who she is as a person, and this inspires her art. “My stem cell transplant is very much part of my identity – I am reminded about it everyday in the medicine I have to take.” “Within my art practice, I explore my own identity, where my personal histories act as a muse for my creations. From my own journey through leukaemia, my painting has led me into the depictions of cancer and infertility. I hope to continue to take inspiration from this and pursue my career as an artist”. We’re sure you’ll agree that Sorrel’s art and the story behind it is inspiring – and a huge part of this is thanks to the family in Japan who donated their cord, all those years ago, giving Sorrel the opportunity to become an incredible artist. #CordBloodAwarenessM

You might have spotted a familiar face on This Morning - the incredible Florrie! Florence was talking to Alison Hammond and Joel Dommett all about her diagnosis of AML (acute myeloid leukaemia), her subsequent stem cell transplant, and how her positivity has shone throughout 💚 If you're on the stem cell register, you could give hope to someone like Florrie. Aged 16-30, or know someone who is? Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3WwVwEB

Last week, over 300 of us came together to celebrate 50 years Anthony Nolan! Anthony Nolan team members from across the UK met up in London to reflect on the past 50 years, which all started with Shirley Nolan’s love for her son, and has brought us to today - a world in which we are helping four people every single day. The day included an inspirational talk from Professor Alejandro Madrigal OBE, who set up the Anthony Nolan Research Institute, a conversation with Taruna and Vikas, whose daughter Zara received a stem cell transplant, a reflection on 15 years of working with our partners, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, an update on our research strategy, and much, much more! Days like this truly are special, as we celebrate the work we have achieved, and look to a future where we can unlock treatments for every patient who needs them. None of this could be done without our amazing teams across the country - every single one of whom plays a part in our lifesaving work. #50YearsOfHope

“I enjoy meeting parents-to-be and seeing how excited they are, and interacting with them at such special times in their lives. The job is very rewarding and I’m very proud to work for Anthony Nolan.” Meet Zoe, a cord collector who has been a part of Anthony Nolan for 9 years! Zoe is based at St Mary’s Hospital, and works within our cord collection team, speaking to families about the opportunity to donate their umbilical cord and potentially save lives in the future through research or through cord transplants, and then collecting the cord if they consent. “The best part of the job is receiving an email with a certificate attached telling me that one of the cord blood units that I have collected has been used to treat patients! I have saved every certificate.” When Zoe first started in 2015 her job was temporary, but it was made permanent in 2017 and she’s happy to still be here 9 years later! “The way we work has changed – we are more selective about the quality of placentas that are suitable, but it’s still just as exciting and rewarding as when I first started.” As we mark #CordBloodAwarenessMonth and thank all the mothers and families who have donated their cord blood, we also think about Shirley Nolan, a remarkable mother who changed the world in her son’s name. Zoe reflects on her legacy and what she’d say to her: “Thank you. All of this is because of you, and you should be so proud of how many lives you have saved, and will continue to save.” A huge thank you to Zoe and all the amazing members of our cord teams, who work with mums across the country to provide potentially lifesaving cord donations for future patients and research.

Last week, members of our research teams presented some of their findings to the rest of the organisation at our head office. The work our teams do within the science of stem cell transplants is lifechanging to so many people, and the team have already been a part of many scientific discoveries and initiatives. Research is a vital part of our lifesaving work. As we mark our 50th year, we're focused on continuing to push the boundaries of cutting-edge science, and improving the future for the patients of today and tomorrow. #50YearsOfHope