Anthony Nolan
The working partnership between Strathclyde Fire & Rescue
and the leukaemia charity, Anthony Nolan got off to a
successful start in August 2009 when 70 people were signed up to
the charity's bone marrow donor register.
The 70 were among 140 people who attended the first bone marrow
donor clinic to be held in a Strathclyde Community Fire Station -
in this case, Clydebank's in SFR's East & West Dunbartonshire
area. This was followed by a clinic in November which was held at
East Kilbride Fire Station where a further 38 people were added to
the register.
Shortly after the New Year, Station Commander Paul Devlin from
Greenock Fire Station started his assault on the people of
Greenock and Port Glasgow to publicise his stations clinic which
was held on 23rd January. Despite the bitterly cold weather lots of
people turned up to offer their assistance and as such another 43
people were signed up.
Over the next three years, clinics will be held in Community
Fire Stations across the rest of the Strathclyde Fire &
Rescue area.
The idea for the partnership came from East & West
Dunbartonshire Area Commander Ally Boyle who was diagnosed last
year with a bone marrow disorder. Commenting on the success of the
clinics so far, Area Commander Boyle said: "I'm delighted by the
response that there has been from the public to our appeal for
potential donors. There was a tremendous amount of support from
firefighters and their families and friends - this made me grateful
and proud of our staff who demonstrated the values and commitment
of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue to saving lives.
A spokesperson for Anthony Nolan said "I want to thank
everyone at SFR for the amazing support they have
offered Anthony Nolan. Together we we are recruiting new
potential donors onto the register and raising awareness to
countless more. We have also massively increased the size of our
volunteer network thanks in the main to the SFR personnel who have
given up their time to support our cause. I am very excited about
the future of our Partnership and the lives that we will save
together."
If you wish further information or wish to arrange a Strathclyde
Fire & Rescue Service Anthony Nolan donor recruitment
event please contact the following members of the Partnership
Core Group:-
Group Commander Ian McMeekin on 01698 402422 or 07769
976246
ian.mcmeekin@strathclydefire.org
Group Commander Andy Watt on 01698 402610 or 07736
680668
andrew.watt@strathclydefire.org
Siobhan Hynes on 01698 402621 or 07827 230828
siobhan.hynes@strathclydefire.org
