Steve Brine, the MP for Winchester, has thrown his support behind Zara Al Shaikh's appeal for people to register as potential blood stem cell donors.
Thirteen year old Zara has leukaemia and needs a blood stem cell donation to survive. Zara and Steve Brine MP are encouraging people to register online with charity Delete Blood Cancer UK. A matching donor is sought for Zara, and as her heritage is half English and half Arabic, those who share her background in particular are being encouraged to register, as this is likely to provide the most suitable match for her.
Zara, who is being treated at Southampton University Hospital, wants to raise awareness of blood stem cell donation and to help save the lives of all those seeking matching donors.
Supporting her appeal, Steve Brine MP says: "Registering online as a potential blood stem cell donor only takes a few minutes but it could lead to you giving decades to someone else. It could lead to you saving Zara's life or the life of someone else in need of a blood stem cell donation for their survival. Please take the time to do it as it could be one of the most important things you ever do."
Praising Steve for his support, Jenny Clegg, Head of Communications at Delete Blood Cancer UK, said: "Awareness is so important when it comes to helping those in need of a blood stem cell donation. It is crucial that people know how easy and important it is to register as a potential blood stem cell donor. Steve's support will raise awareness, and that's why it is wonderful that he is supporting Zara's appeal to help find a matching donor for her and all those seeking a lifesaving donor."
More information ...
You can register in five minutes online and request a cheek swab kit that will enable you to do your own tissue test to go on the database to maybe one day become a blood stem cell donor through the Delete Blood Cancer UK website