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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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.

OP posts:
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...

OP posts:
StarlightMcKenzie · 15/01/2012 10:31

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

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.

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.

JosieMumsnet · 16/01/2012 13:09

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

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...

OP posts:
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.

OP posts:
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...

OP posts:
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.

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

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.

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

giraffesCantDonateBoneMarrow · 16/01/2012 22:02

Tell us all about Billie :) MrdD will contact you off board...

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 16/01/2012 22:19

Only if it will help giraffes dont feel you have to Smile

But I am always happy to tell her story x

ChippingInLovesEasterEggs · 16/01/2012 22:26

OhDoAdmit - I'm sure it would. It was 'Billie's story' that got me to check out the BM register, but I was too old for the AN register so I thought that was that, now I see you can do it through the blood donor service so when I'm giving blood next week I will ask then if I am eligible for their register :) They might say my health isn't good enough, but I'll try.

I think it would be lovely to do something for AN in Billie's name to mark her 21st. I don't have any suggestions, but I will have a think about it. I think about Billie a lot and Inever see your name on here without thinking about her - so please don't think she's fading away from everyone. I think it's just hard to know what to say, to let you know Billie is being thought of without sounding false or upsetting you. You were lucky to have each other and neither of you are easily forgotten x

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 16/01/2012 23:06

chipping Smile

lisad123 · 16/01/2012 23:50

Mrsd pm me if I can help at all. Happy to tell our story too if it helps (although think most people here know). Any Way to raise awareness is wonderful.

PurplePidjin · 17/01/2012 20:20

I spat in the tube and sent it off today.

Crochet services offered, MrsDV, if I can be of service Smile

AlmaMartyr · 18/01/2012 08:22

I can't donate much money at the moment but I have just joined the AN register.

MrsDV - I would love to hear Billie's story, like ChippingIn I think of her any time I see your name.

TrinityRhino · 18/01/2012 18:34

have joined the register and donated

good luck and fab idea

ColdWinterNights · 19/01/2012 00:37

I can't join the register at the moment because of heath reasons, but I will donate what I can to AN next week.

MrsDV Billie is such a beautiful girl. My heart goes out to you and your family xx.

ReneeVivien · 19/01/2012 13:12

On my way to join the register!
Lovely idea for a thread.

ReneeVivien · 19/01/2012 13:22

... and donated.

Notsosensible · 19/01/2012 14:00

Wonderful idea. Off to donate right now ......

johnworf · 19/01/2012 14:53

I've put my name down to be put on the bone marrow register when I give blood in March Grin

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