Anthony Nolan

Anthony Nolan Saving lives through stem cells. Welcome to our page. We have created this page for you to share comments, feedback, questions, photos and videos.

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People who use this page often want to post messages of support for loved ones who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer. This is a really great thing to do, but we need to make sure you are aware of data protection requirements concerning privacy. If you want to name individuals who have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you must get their explicit consent before doing so. To protect privacy, we may remove posts which reveal confidential information about patients, transplants, any of our donors (including donors of blood stem cells , bone marrow or umbilical cord blood ), or anything relating to collections from our donors. You can find out more about data protection and privacy on the Information Commissioner’s website: http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public.aspx or our website: http://www.anthonynolan.org/

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People may post medical tips and ideas in the page. Please remember that any content posted here should not be considered medical advice. You should discuss any questions or concerns about your health with your healthcare professional(s). Respect

Please keep all posts relevant and respectful of others. This is a safe space for people to communicate safely and comfortably. Anthony Nolan may, at our sole discretion, remove any posts which we consider inappropriate or offensive, including posts which are harassing, abusive, obscene, hateful, racist, sexist or homophobic, as well as posts which promote commercial products or illegal activities, or which violate Facebook’s terms of service. If you continue to post inappropriate or offensive messages we may remove you from the page. Our page is normally only monitored by us Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm excluding bank holidays in England and Wales. If you think someone is misusing the page or breaking the House Rules, or if you have any feedback on how to make this group a better space, please contact: social@anthonynolan.org.

31/12/2025

We're reflecting on another incredible year - what's been your highlight of 2025?

🚨 PLEASE SHARE - 🚨 "Offering to help someone with a life-threatening illness is one of the most generous gifts you can...
29/12/2025

🚨 PLEASE SHARE - 🚨

"Offering to help someone with a life-threatening illness is one of the most generous gifts you can give. You might not change the whole world, but you could change someone’s world completely."

Jake, a dad of 2 from Queensland, Australia, is urging people across the world to join the stem cell register, after heartbreakingly being diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma for the third time.

Jake was first diagnosed when he was 21 years old, and then relapsed at 34. At this point, Jake received an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own cells, but now he needs a stem cell transplant from a stranger. Without one, his children may lose their dad, and his wife her husband.

“My children are always asking how my cancer is, and how my treatment is going. They give me extra cuddles to make sure I feel good every time I go for treatment.”

Right now, there isn’t a single matching donor worldwide for Jake, so he’s encouraging people aged 16-30 to join the stem cell register today – in the hope that you could be a match for someone like him.

✅ Aged 16-30? Please sign up today: https://bit.ly/4b3MoyS
🔁 Over 30 or unable to sign up? Please share Jake’s story far and wide.

24/12/2025

All we want for Christmas is.... to say a huge thank you to every single one of you!

Our lifesaving work simply wouldn’t be possible without our incredible supporters every step of the way.

P.S. We know that Christmas isn't easy for everyone - and we're here for you. Whether you need some medical information, advice or just a chat, our helpline is open from 9am-5pm, every weekday except bank holidays.

So if you need us, just give us a call on 0303 303 0303 💚

📸🎅 We LOVE these photos of 9-year-old Dylan and his sister enjoying a Christmassy day out, which Dylan missed out on las...
23/12/2025

📸🎅 We LOVE these photos of 9-year-old Dylan and his sister enjoying a Christmassy day out, which Dylan missed out on last year due to being in hospital.

“It’s been 17 months since we have been able to enjoy a family day out. Dylan was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia in 2024 – he had no way of fighting infections and spent a lot of time in hospital. He was receiving blood products weekly and had nearly 140 blood transfusions.

Dylan received his lifesaving transplant in May and returned home to Belfast at the end of July.

We had the opportunity to visit Santa this year, and it was just so lovely to see Dylan and his sister enjoy a ‘normal’ family trip. I am always thinking of Dylan’s donor and how he has given Dylan a second chance to enjoy life. As a family we will be forever grateful to them.”

Thank you to Dylan’s mum Claire for sharing these with us 💚

“I am beyond grateful for my family - not just at Christmas but every day. Without their endless support, I wouldn’t be ...
22/12/2025

“I am beyond grateful for my family - not just at Christmas but every day. Without their endless support, I wouldn’t be back to normal life now. Family time is hugely important to us and spending Christmas together with all of our traditions is the only way I’d want to celebrate!”

You might recognise Alice, Kate and Emma – who discovered they are all 10/10 matches with each other! When Alice needed a stem cell transplant, both Kate and Emma stepped up ready to be Alice’s donor if needed.
Now after Kate’s donation, Alice is in remission, and the three sisters are looking forward to spending Christmas together – with a Christmas Day swim, an Icelandic book exchange tradition on Christmas Eve, and a few runs, to prepare for the London Marathon next year!

Kate reflects on hearing that her sister was in remission: “It was incredibly emotional. What is less thought about is the mental burden, especially when waiting for test results. There wouldn’t be a day where we all wouldn’t be thinking what the result could be. I also felt a big responsibility in the lead up to donating, so hearing the news that the transplant had worked was such a relief.”

Reflecting on their close relationship as sisters, Alice says: “When I learned that both of my sisters were matches, it just felt right. We’ve always been so close, and knowing they were both a perfect fit somehow strengthened my belief that the transplant would work. Although the stem cells came from Kate, I truly feel that both of my sisters saved my life.”

Emma added: “It’s been a bit of a crazy year but also a year that has brought us closer than ever as a family and as sisters. I am so proud of Kate and Alice, and a huge thank you to Anthony Nolan for raising the awareness that helps thousands of people like Alice.”

And a reminder from Alice as we enter a time of reflection: “I’ve learned to appreciate the little things in life. You don’t realise how much joy there is in the everyday moments until you’re faced with the possibility of losing them. Whether it’s walking down Oxford Street with friends to admire the Christmas lights or giving up your seat for someone on the tube, I’m trying to pass on those small moments of joy, because I now understand how important they are.”

“Anthony Nolan represents hope in the darkest moments, and by supporting them we are honouring both Alan’s fight and my ...
21/12/2025

“Anthony Nolan represents hope in the darkest moments, and by supporting them we are honouring both Alan’s fight and my stepdad’s memory, while helping give other families the chance of more time together.”

Christmas lights often brighten up the festive season, but some have an extra special meaning. Warwick Drive in Stockport is known for being one of the most festive streets around – and this year they are fundraising in aid of Anthony Nolan!

Carrie and her husband Alan live on Warwick Drive, and nominated Anthony Nolan as one of the charities of choice for reasons close to their heart.

“Alan spent three long years fighting leukaemia, enduring relentless chemotherapy that tested him in ways words can’t fully capture. We were incredibly fortunate that his story is one of survival. Sadly, not everyone gets that ending. We are also fundraising in loving memory of my stepdad Peter, known as Dar to his many grandchildren, who lost his battle with leukaemia.”

Carrie and Alan are also taking on the London Marathon for Anthony Nolan in April – and we’re looking forward to cheering them on every step of the way.

This year, we’re thinking of families like Carrie’s who have lost their loved ones – and are grateful to all those who help us give hope to those who need us.

📸 Thank you to Francis’ mum, Anna, for sharing these adorable festive snaps of little Francis! In 2023, Anna’s world wa...
20/12/2025

📸 Thank you to Francis’ mum, Anna, for sharing these adorable festive snaps of little Francis!

In 2023, Anna’s world was shattered when 3‑month‑old Francis was diagnosed with AML. Thousands rallied to join the stem cell register – and in February 2024, Francis rang the end‑of‑treatment bell after undergoing his stem cell transplant.

“Francis was so poorly in the hospital from his treatment that we couldn’t really celebrate his first Christmas. So we are definitely making up for it this year! He is 2 and a half now and has just started talking – he understands absolutely everything and has even been saying Christmas! He’s hoping to get loads of cars as they are his favourite toys.”

Here’s to Francis, his family, and families going through similar journeys 💚

“Our son, Gabriel, was diagnosed with very severe aplastic anaemia in October 2021, just a week after starting Year 4. H...
19/12/2025

“Our son, Gabriel, was diagnosed with very severe aplastic anaemia in October 2021, just a week after starting Year 4. He went from being a happy, cheeky, smiley little boy to one who could barely lift his head. We were told that his condition was so severe that a bone marrow transplant was his only chance of survival.

Christmas 2021 was spent in hospital. We found out on the 22nd of December that his first donor couldn’t go ahead, and my world fell apart. But just before New Year, a young woman self‑isolated over Christmas and donated her stem cells. She saved Gabriel’s life – and mine too. She gave us the best Christmas present anyone could ever give – she saved our little boy.

Gabriel spent both Christmas and his 9th birthday in hospital isolation with just me for company. He saw his dad and siblings through a tiny square window. Those months were unbearably hard.

We exchanged anonymised letters with his donor for two years, and now we’re in touch directly. She’s in her twenties, Italian but living in Germany. That was interesting, because I'm Greek and my husband's English, and I worried that we might not find a suitable match, so it's interesting that she's Mediterranean as well. Words just cannot describe how I feel about this person who was so selfless. One day, we’d love to meet her.”

Christmas can also mean hospital stays, isolation and waiting for a match. Thank you to Maria for sharing their family’s story and showing how life changing a donor’s gift can be 💚

“Dave, my recipient and now lifelong friend, received my stem cells 16th September 2016 – and exactly one year later my ...
17/12/2025

“Dave, my recipient and now lifelong friend, received my stem cells 16th September 2016 – and exactly one year later my daughter, Orla, was born. They now share a birthday, as Dave and his family celebrate that date as his second birthday. And day 100 – the day Dave could finally see his family again, was Christmas Day.”

Thomas, from Liverpool, was on his honeymoon in the Maldives when he received a text saying he was a potential match for a stranger. When he returned home, he undertook medical tests and discovered he was a 10 out of 10 match for this person in need of a transplant.

Thomas donated his stem cells and exchanged letters with Dave and his family, discovering that Dave lived in Kansas!

“This year, I met Dave, his wife Mellissa, his daughter Maddie and her husband Alex – and Dave’s son Nick on Facetime – in London, alongside my wife Charlotte, and our children Orla and Finn. It was a truly humbling experience and a memory I will never forget.”

“We have plans to one day go over to Kansas, and for Dave and his family to visit us in Liverpool!”

We hope Thomas and Dave’s story brings hope to those who need it this Christmas – and if you’re struggling, know we’re here to chat to. Our helpline is available Mon-Fri, from 9am to 5pm except Bank Holidays – just give us a call on 0303 303 0303.

I’m alive today because of a stranger from Scotland. I’ve survived three kinds of blood cancer. When I was diagnosed wi...
16/12/2025

I’m alive today because of a stranger from Scotland.

I’ve survived three kinds of blood cancer. When I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), my only chance of a cure was a stem cell transplant. With no sibling match, registries around the world were searched – and a match was found in Scotland.

That’s how Charlie entered my life.

At first, we exchanged anonymous letters. His first reply began with “Hi Mate” and ended with “Your Pal.” Goosebumps every time I think about it.

A year later, we shared personal details, then emails, then video chats. And this May, I finally met Charlie in person on the Isle of Bute.

Last Christmas, my wife Joan left a small card under the Christmas tree. It read: “Let’s go see Charlie!” And wow, was it a full-circle, emotional moment. We embraced, laughed, met family and friends, and toured the island before heading to Glasgow.

Charlie is more than my genetic twin. He’s my miracle match, an unassuming hero. He told me he joined the stem cell register because in small Scottish communities like Rothesay, “people just step up to do these things.”

I am forever grateful and want to recognise the effort Charlie made to collect his stem cells for me. It meant preparation, travel from his home to London, and time at Anthony Nolan’s London clinic for the peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvesting – apparently many million strong!

To mark our bond, my wife Joan and I have created a graphic of two puzzle pieces – one piece is the Canadian flag with me above it, and the other Scottish with Charlie above – forever linked. We framed a copy for Charlie too.

Thanks Mate (Charlie) from Your Pal (Colin).

16/12/2025

Spending Christmas in hospital can be especially hard. What little things helped to brighten your stay? 🎁

“I was aware that each trip I was doing was a potential lifesaver. It made no difference to me whether I was picking up ...
15/12/2025

“I was aware that each trip I was doing was a potential lifesaver. It made no difference to me whether I was picking up cells at the London Clinic and walking them the short distance to UCH, or was travelling much further afield - each trip was as important as the other.”

Volunteer couriers play a vital role in our lifesaving work, safely transporting stem cells across the globe. This year, after 452 trips, covering a staggering 590,010 miles and visiting 17 countries, Peter has begun his well-earned retirement from couriering.

“Having the opportunity to be a courier for thirteen and a half years completely enriched my life. It’s helped me stay mentally and physically fit and taught me the art of diplomacy. I went to places I might never have got to, visiting museums, galleries, and beautiful gardens.”

Thanks to Peter, and our team of 108 volunteer couriers, donated stem cells reach patients safely every year. But Peter’s journeys weren’t without their challenges: from transport delays, to being caught in a hurricane in the USA while bringing cells to Oxford, and even a run-in with police at Dubai airport.

“There were occasions when I had to deal with transport cancellations, strikes, the weather, and other sorts of delays, but one learns to keep a level head and always have a plan B in mind as a backup. It must have worked, as I was never concerned about failing to deliver the cells to the transplant centre in time.”

This festive season, we want to send a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteer couriers, who just like our own team of Father Christmases, will be delivering gifts of hope over the Christmas period.

And a special thank you to Peter, who has now embarked on a year of travel, revisiting some of his favourite destinations from his years as a courier.

Address

2 Heathgate Place, 75-87 Agincourt Road
London
NW32NU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+443033030303

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