Bone Marrow Donors Required at RAF Marham
Daniel pictured here with his mum Janet
Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Donor Clinic
at the RAF Marham Sandringham Centre
1st October – 11:00 – 3:00pm
The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Clinic came to the Sandringham Centre here at RAF Marham on Monday 1st October. The morning started with a photo call of Mrs Janet Short, OC TIW PA, Wing Commander Paul Fraser, The Station Commander, Group Captain Phil Osborn and members of the Tactical Imagery Wing.
Military and civilian personnel supported the day along with families and friends from the local community. A total of 72 personnel donated blood and will go on to the register. You can still register by contacting Mrs Janet Short on Ext 6292 who will send you a registration form and blood can be taken at the Medical Centre.
Then it was down to business with potential donors filling in questionnaires to scrutinise their suitability. After that a quick check of the paperwork and it was sleeves rolled up ready for the sample.
Delicious cakes and other refreshments were available for all attendees along with a raffle with some great prizes. A Christmas present and card stall was there so you could start your shopping early. Proceeds from these stalls were going to the Anthony Nolan Trust as well. The latest count showed £800.00.
This whole event was organised by Mrs Janet Short whose child would have been 21 years old had there been a bone marrow donation available when he needed it. A young man called Rhys ….. is currently on the waiting list and it is hoped that a match may have been made from the clinic.
We must not forget everyone involved behind the scenes, including the people who supplied cakes, poured teas and coffees and sold raffle tickets. Though the biggest thanks of all must go to all of you who gave blood and to all your sections for allowing you time out to go and donate.
Background Story - Daniel's Story
Unfortunately its too late for Daniel, he died just 5 weeks after this picture was taken but there are thousands of men, women and children still waiting for their chance to survive.
You could be that chance!
Daniel was born on 22nd February 1986 and would have celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this year. He was a beautiful baby boy and had the most incredible blue eyes that seemed to pierce through to your very soul. He was as bright as a button and incredibly cute.
Daniel became very suddenly unwell and for about 5 weeks suffered with earache and what appeared to be severe headaches. He was very pale and started to bruise easily. We took him to hospital where we sat in A & E for hours refusing to move until someone saw us, by which time Daniel’s temperature had soared and he was admitted immediately. By this time he had two burst eardrums and was incredibly pale and weak. His little body was lifeless and we could not believe this had happened so incredibly quickly.
When the results came back we were told Daniel had a week to live. We were rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he was given a 5% chance of survival. He was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukaemia. Although Daniel needed a bone marrow transplant a suitable donor could not be found. Even though he was very ill and only 17 months old he was extremely kind and gentle to all the other little children in the ward always kissing and cuddling them. Throughout all his treatment he never complained.
He went into remission and survived for a further 10 months but the Leukaemia returned and we took him home to be with us where he sadly died on 25th August 1988.
No-one can ever prepare you for the loss of a child, especially when they are so incredibly sick. These children are an inspiration to us all and so very very brave.
If Daniel’s story can persuade just one person to become a bone marrow donor, then he will not have died in vain. Please help!
If you would like more information please contact Janet Short at TIW Ext 6292
or if you prefer visit the Anthony Nolan website
... a life giving experience
Don’t forget – YOU could help save someone’s life. All you need to do to join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register is come along to the recruitment clinic, read some information, fill in a form and, if eligible, give a small blood sample. What could be easier?
To register your interest and receive your information pack please contact Janet Short on:
MRMTIW-OCPA@marham.raf.mod.uk
or telephone (01760) 446292