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Got a spare fiver? Please help raise awareness for bone-marrow donation and Anthony Nolan by donating whatever you can - you could win a legendary MN blanket!

137 replies

HelenMumsnet · 13/01/2012 13:24

Hello. We know many of you have been posting on misdee's thread about expat's DD Aillidh, who has leukaemia, and you have been doing sterling work to raise aware for the Antony Nolan register, and for bone-marrow and cord-blood donation.

Many of you have also been posting questions for the Antony Nolan team on our Q&A thread (answers coming soon).

And now the lovely, lovely MN blanket-makers have offered to donate one of their legendary blankets, in Aillidh's name, to prod us all to do more to help raise awareness of Anthony Nolan.

You can see some of the gorgeous blankets the MN "Woolly Wonders" have made before here.

So here's the plan...

We have created a Just Giving page, where anyone who wants to (that's all of you, though, right? Smile) can go to donate whatever you can manage to Anthony Nolan.

Anyone who posts on this thread (hopefully about having just visited the Just Giving page - but also about other stuff, too) will be entered into a draw to win the blanket.

We can't make donating a condition of entering the draw (for legal reasons), and we won't check who has or hasn't donated before we pick the winner, but we hope most of you will want to donate a little something - and that the chance of winning such a beautiful handmade MN-y prize will make you feel even more warm and lovely inside when you do.

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IwoulddoPachacuti · 16/01/2012 22:01

I donated at the end of last week and was happy that my wee DNA kit arrived today to go on the register. If there's a possibility I can help someone out there then that is fantastic Smile

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 16/01/2012 21:00

I am not trying to muscle in so please dont think I am.
I was just wondering if Billie's story might be helpful in persuading people to sign up and donate? If it will I will share it on whatever site or whatever.

Its her birthday on Friday.
Next year it will be her 21st and I really want to do something to mark it as she seems to be fading away from everyone.

I wanted to do a recruitment/fundraiser for BM and blood donation but I dont know where to start. It will take a long time to arrange so I was planning to start in the spring.
I dont mean to hijack but this is such an important cause and its a MNs cause now for lots of reasons.

Anyway. I dont know if that made sense but you know.

northernmonkey · 16/01/2012 19:14

I have just donated. I really wish i could have donated more though :(
I also wish i could become a donor for the bone marrow but sadly they wont touch me because of my size and health problems :(
I am trying to work through that though, and when I am able to I will definately donate then.
I have posted a link to the just giving page on my facebook page so fingers crossed, someone will help.

Good luck with the campaign and sending lots of love and prayers to Aillidh, expat and their family xxx

TheMonster · 16/01/2012 15:01

I think it is wonderful that MN is raising the profile of becoming a donor. I am not eligible, sadly, but I have mentioned it to all and sundry at work.

HelenMumsnet · 16/01/2012 14:35

Gah! Posted twice. That'll teach me for trying to use the Talk app and the main site at the same time...

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HelenMumsnet · 16/01/2012 14:34

Thank you, thank you to all who have donated money so far. You are all very lovely - especially as it's January 'n' all.

We've now raised over £600 which should help Anthony Nolan pay to process six new bone-marrow-donation registrations.

If anyone else would like to donate some money, we'd be very, very grateful. It would be wonderful to be able to hand over £1000 to Anthony Nolan by this thread's end.

You can donate (totally anonymously, if you like) by going to our special Just Giving page.

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HelenMumsnet · 16/01/2012 14:23

Thank you, thank you to all who have donated money so far. You are all very lovely! Especially as it's January n all.

We've raised £600 so far - which will help pay for six new bone-marrow-donation registrations. Hurrah!

If you haven't donated already and would like to, please do. We'd love to get to £1000...

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JosieMumsnet · 16/01/2012 13:09

Just been and donated. Thanks for the reminder- a really good cause.

FoxyRevenger · 16/01/2012 13:07

I'm already on the register and, quite frankly, can't donate anything until PAYDAY -evil January!!

I've been sharing the post about Aillidh on my FB page, hopefully it will encourage someone else to sign up.

mellowcat · 15/01/2012 12:38

Very best wishes and thank you for helping us to support this cause. I have donated and am already registered with Anthony Nolan.

StarlightMcKenzie · 15/01/2012 10:31

Yes, thank you. It is in the Q&A.

HelenMumsnet · 15/01/2012 10:25

@StarlightMcKenzie

It's a question about cord blood. The donating of it makes me feel very uncomfortable and I can't support the charity without having my fears addressed. That is not to say I don't commend highly their overall objectives. I most certainly do, which is why I'm here and raising it as I would very much want to support them.

Ah, ok. Obvs, I can't answer that one meself. Did you post that as a Q in our Q&A to the Anthony Nolan team? If not, I could try and see if we can add that one in...

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SoupDragon · 15/01/2012 10:24

DOne :)

StarlightMcKenzie · 15/01/2012 10:18

It's a question about cord blood. The donating of it makes me feel very uncomfortable and I can't support the charity without having my fears addressed. That is not to say I don't commend highly their overall objectives. I most certainly do, which is why I'm here and raising it as I would very much want to support them.

Tortington · 15/01/2012 10:16

got an e-mail they are sending me a kit, despite being old and with some ailments, so i'm not feeling quite so old now.

HelenMumsnet · 15/01/2012 10:11

@StarlightMcKenzie

I'd love to donate but can't until my questions have been answered.

What questions do you have, Starlight?

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StarlightMcKenzie · 15/01/2012 00:21

I'd love to donate but can't until my questions have been answered.

PriscillaQueenOfTheDesert · 14/01/2012 23:40

Have donated & added my name to the Anthony Nolan register.

Thinking of you all Expat, Aillidh & Family.

Please send the blanket to Aillidh should I get drawn.

duchesse · 14/01/2012 22:57

Will be registering with the NHS donor bank next time I go for a blood donation. Am too old for Anthony Nolan alas.

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 14/01/2012 22:30

Donation done. Will see about going on the other register when I give blood too Smile

LargeGlassofRed · 14/01/2012 20:49

Done, wish I could be a donor too.

PrettyCandles · 14/01/2012 20:15

A wonderful use for a MN Blanket! And I'm glad that one is being made up fir Aillidh, too.

I've been on the AN register for over 20y, but have never been called.

Off to Just Giving now.

lisad123 · 14/01/2012 19:14

It costs £50 to register a new donor and test their tissue for a match!! £50!

doughnutty · 14/01/2012 19:01

Off to register dh and myself. Donation will be done once I can extricate myself from sleepy child.

HelenMumsnet · 14/01/2012 17:01

Thank you all so much for your cash donations. We've nearly raised £500 for Anthony Nolan! Thanks

Please do continue to give generously if you can. As lisad123 says, every penny is desperately needed.

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