The number of young people from the north registering their interest in signing up to the Anthony Nolan Trust has increased by 117 in the past year.
The official figures revealed to The Press and Journal show that at this time in 2018, only 21 donators had committed to signing up to the register, with this year’s figures showing an increase of 557%, as 36 males and 102 females received a testing pack from the lifesaving stem cell transplant charity.
The increase comes after The Press and Journal reported last month how young Highland League footballer Colin MacRae was due to go under the knife in a potentially lifesaving transplant for a cancer victim.
The Clachnacuddin star and Inverness College UHI student was due to donate bone marrow from his pelvis to aid a cancer sufferer last week, however, the operation was delayed after the recipient fell unwell, requiring further treatment before the transplant can be administered.
Mr MacRae said: “I am absolutely delighted. The more people that sign up the better, so the increase is brilliant.
“There is still a lot of folk who don’t have a match so hopefully this goes some way to helping address that. It is really good and I am delighted that maybe I have inspired a few people to sign up.
“When I decided to share my story last month it wasn’t about self-promotion or anything like that, I really just wanted others to feel like they could help and hopefully get the buzz I am from helping somebody get their second shot at life.
“I am still feeling pretty positive about the whole experience – nerves haven’t crept in yet but maybe closer to the time they will, but I am more excited than anything for it to take place.”
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The operation will see the Helmsdale man endure a stay of around three days in hospital, with recovery anticipated to take around two weeks.
The rearranged operation is set to be organised for a date in March.
Alex Cupit, online recruitment lead at Anthony Nolan, said: “Colin’s story has been amazing for raising awareness of the Anthony Nolan stem cell register.
“Colin’s altruism has obviously inspired his community, and more people on the register means we’ll be able to find more lifesaving matches.”
At present there are over 77,000 Scots on the Anthony Nolan register, making up 11% of the register, with a drive currently taking place to encourage men between the ages of 16 and 30, the group most likely to prove a match, to join the register.
On average, three matches are identified each day to progress towards lifesaving treatment.