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Mayor of Gedling to raise money for lifesaving stem cell donations in memory of family friend

Date Posted: 10:32 AM on Thu, 3 August 2023

The Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Julie Najuk, has announced her chosen charity for her term as Mayor, selecting Anthony Nolan as her cause.

Anthony Nolan was set up in 1974 and established the world’s first stem cell donation register. The register was created to match potential stem cell donors to blood cancer and blood disorder patients in need of stem cell transplants. It also carries out pioneering research to increase stem cell transplant success and supports patients through their transplant journeys. Thanks to the work they do, they estimate that they give, on average, three people a day a second chance at life. They have over 900,000 people on the stem cell register but more needs to be done to save lives.

Throughout her term as Mayor, Councillor Najuk will be raising awareness of the charity and the work they do, as well as holding a number of events to raise funds for the organisation.

The Mayor selected Anthony Nolan as her chosen charity because of the support they provided for a family friend, Samantha Clift, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2010. After being matched with a donor through the charity's stem cell register, Samantha underwent her first stem cell transplant in 2011, followed by a second one in 2012.

As a result of the Leukaemia, Samantha's weakened immune system made her more vulnerable to further illnesses and in 2017 Samantha was diagnosed with an infection in her lungs known as Aspergillosis. Despite undergoing treatment, Samantha sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 34.

Gemma Parker, Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Anthony Nolan said;

“We are thrilled to have been chosen as the Mayor’s Charity this year and are incredibly grateful for their support. It costs £40 to recruit each person to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, so fundraising is vital for us in continuing our lifesaving work. We look forward to seeing what Gedling Borough Council achieve this year in support of Anthony Nolan."

The Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Julie Najuk said;

“I feel privileged to be able to use my term as the Mayor of Gedling to support a charity that I have such a personal connection to, and to be able help them raise much needed funds for the incredible work they do.

I’d like to take this opportunity to honour Samantha’s memory and thank the charity that did so much for her and others suffering from this horrible disease.

Throughout my term, I will be organising a number of events to help support this incredible organisation and I know that our fantastic communities across Gedling Borough will help me to do this.”

You can find out more about Antony Nolan at www.antonynolan.org