#MyBloodStory by Margot’s father, Yaser

Please support our International Registration Day on Wednesday 7 October 2020

Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer on 7 October 2013, so we have made this date the “TEAM MARGOT STEM CELL AND BONE MARROW REGISTRATION DAY” – an international day designed to inform, inspire and motivate more people to join the worldwide registers as potential stem cell and bone marrow donors, in their countries.

Margot’s mixed ethnicity was the key reason why we were unable to find her “perfect match” – this is an area where your race and ethnicity is vital – which is why, in particular, we seek to encourage people of mixed heritage and those from ethnic minorities to join a register.

We value highly & give great currency to word of mouth – please talk about this & tell someone, follow us online, retweet and share what we post and create and upload your own posts & photos on social media in support.

We don’t mind how you choose to register, only that you do PLEASE REGISTER !

Give it a go & see how it makes you feel.

Thank you.

Team Margot
Together, saving lives

Endorsements

THANK YOU for endorsing our registration day:

“As co-founders of the ACLT and parents of former leukaemia patient, Daniel De-Gale. We would like to congratulate Yaser, Nadia and the team at Team Margot Foundation on the launch of its inaugural International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness day. The ACLT fully supports this lifesaving worldwide initiative where someone is able to simply register in order to be tested and on standby in the hope that one of us is able to be chosen as a “special one” to help someone in urgent need of the gift of life.”

Beverley De-Gale, OBE & Orin Lewis OBE, Founders of ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust)

Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, said: “Saving the lives of people with blood cancer is a truly global effort, as countries all over the world work together to find stem cell matches for people in need of a transplant.

“That’s why we’re so delighted that Team Margot are about to launch their first International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day. Margot’s legacy inspired an incredible number of people to become lifesaving stem cell donors all over the world, and we are looking forward to recruiting the next generation of lifesavers on 7th October at donor recruitment events in Margot’s name.

“Team Margot’s International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day will bust myths, raise awareness and bring hope to those desperately waiting to find a donor.”

Seun Adebiyi, Project Manager, Global Partnerships and Planning, American Cancer Society said: “When I was diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma at the age of 26, I was shocked to learn that my African ancestry meant that I had less than a 17% chance of finding a compatible bone marrow donor. Thousands of patients with minority or mixed heritage search every day for a life saving donor. I was one of the lucky few who found a match, but many do not. Patients who can’t find donors are just as deserving of life as anyone else. We desperately need more donors of minority and mixed ancestry to overcome this inequity and to give patients like Margot a second chance at life.”

Theo Clarke, Lead Donor Relations Manager at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We really need young blood donors to sign up to the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) and potentially become that one in a million match for someone in desperate need of a transplant. Joining the registry is really easy, all you have to do is tell a member of staff at the start of your next blood donation session that you want to join the registry and an extra sample of blood will be taken during your donation.

“Currently the chances of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Mixed Race patients in the UK finding a matching donor can be as low as 40%, whereas Caucasian patients have around a 90% chance of finding a donor. So NHS Blood and Transplant is looking to recruit young BAME and Mixed Race blood donors and Caucasian male blood donors between the ages of 18 and 30 on to the BBMR . The more people we have on the register, the more of a chance we have at finding a match.”

To find out where your nearest session is and to book an appointment to give blood and join the BBMR, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk.

A message from The Caribbean Bone Marrow Registry: “You turned your pain into a passion that became a purpose and a part of a great movement. On behalf of the team, members and affiliates of the Caribbean Bone Marrow Registry, we applaud your efforts and commitment in making a difference in the lives of those suffering from these terrible diseases. Thank You. We invite all to enroll, be a match and save a life.”

www.caribbeanmarrow.org

Lisa Nugent, Head of Donor Recruitment at DKMS said: ”The success that we enjoy today in registering potential donors can be attributed to our earliest patient campaigns, the first of which was Margot’s appeal. The family’s willingness to share their story to raise awareness, not just then but on a continued basis, has inspired many to sign up. Earlier this year we were able to celebrate the registration of our 500,000th potential donor, with the knowledge that we have given more than 900 patients, a second chance of life.”

Christa Justus from Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research said: “Margot Martini’s legacy is beautifully secured through the vital work of Team Margot. Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research proudly supports their efforts to help other angels like Margot live long, healthy, cancer-free lives.” gabriellesangels.org

Betina Sørensen, M.D. Senior Consultant at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark said: “We are pleased to be working with Team Margot and fully support the Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day. Here in Denmark we will be marking the occasion in our blood bank by putting Team Margot stickers on soft drinks, chocolate and fruits, putting up posters on the walls, handing out Team Margot bracelets and showing the video with Margot in our waiting room.”

Amy Ronneberg, CFO, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match® Said: “Patients in need of a life-saving marrow transplant are most likely to match a donor of their same race and ethnicity. Team Margot is meeting that need by recruiting diverse donors and people of mixed heritage. We’re proud to partner with such an outstanding organization, dedicated to saving lives.”

Matti Korhonen, Senior Medical Officer at the Finnish Stem Cell Registry said:

“The Finnish Stem Cell Registry supports the International Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day. We hope that through this initiative many more will decide to give leukemia patients a chance for cure.”

Tarryn Corlett – Chief Executive Officer of The Sunflower Fund, South Africa said:

“It is vital that we create awareness and educate the public about Leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders as well as the desperate need for bone marrow stem cell donors. One of the biggest challenges that we face in South Africa, is the shortage of donors from Black, Coloured and Indian ethnic backgrounds. Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day will assist in the endeavours to educate the public and hopefully encourage donors, from all ethnic groups, to step forward all over the world.

If you are in South Africa and would like to become a lifesaving bone marrow stem cell donor, please contact The Sunflower fund on 0800 12 10 82 or visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za”

Latest Tweets

@swab4margot
@swab4margot

Margot’s Uncle Ivor is a “50 donor”🙌 Ivor was a blood donor but he stopped giving blood for a while. Margot ins… https://t.co/bgt306Cw7k

4 days ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @sangewadikar: Today I'm sending my test kit back to @DKMS_uk.One day I might be matched as a donor for someone with blood cancer… https://t.co/K2axTRjz4s

2 weeks ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @NHSOrganDonor: Whatever your organ donation decision, it’s important to talk with your loved ones to give them the certainty they… https://t.co/T8w5DY8YP3

3 weeks ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

Team Margot Foundation has either donated or made grants of over £500,000 to people, projects & charities close to… https://t.co/sNwCpVTj0f

3 weeks ago
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@swab4margot

RT @yasermartini: Tuesday 2 February - TODAY - is our last chance to enlist as many people as possible to take part in our impact sur… https://t.co/mZvraI2vIV

4 weeks ago
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@swab4margot

RT @swab4margot: We want to hear your feedback! Team Margot aims to inform, inspire and motivate more people, particularly those fr… https://t.co/0kTTEDcWVg

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

We want to hear your feedback! Team Margot aims to inform, inspire and motivate more people, particularly those fr… https://t.co/0kTTEDcWVg

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

Thank you @Misotasty for proudly supporting Team Margot on every pack of your NEW Craft Tofu👊 #togethersavinglives… https://t.co/KfQoQI5WJG

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @yasermartini: @sunnybuffon @GiveBloodNHS Yes thank you.We are physically safe & well, although I do worry about how the restricti… https://t.co/bgh73TiTKK

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @sunnybuffon: Another one in the bank 😃 Gaurav has had so many blood transfusions in the past it made me want to help others in… https://t.co/ywyiWKGXZP

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @HeyJayde_: @GiveBloodNHS I’m raising awareness for blood and stem cell donation and I’d love if you could share this? 😊 https://t.co/F3iHq7pryq

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @DKMS_uk: Did you know that only 50-60% of people who request a swab kit actually return them? 😲 That means there are thousa… https://t.co/lLS9ecOfcU

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

.@LondonKarateUK supports Team Margot 💪 Margot’s brother, Rufus started learning Karate aged 4 & today (12) remain… https://t.co/APne5mFAqA

1 month ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @hardikpshah25: Another Day Another opportunity to become a stem cell donor https://t.co/UErAudXqFx @helpveernow @DKMS_uk @DKMS_us… https://t.co/4Mjppj3RoF

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @yasermartini: @elonmusk AGREE, so stick to registered charities. @swab4margot inspires, motivates & educates people, including ch… https://t.co/snP6iuOBpB

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @NHSOrganDonor: Did you know? Only around 1 in 100 people die in circumstances where they are able to donate their organs so every… https://t.co/mIhqu4ksGa

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @yasermartini: @andrewboggs @GiveBloodNHS Blood & platelet donors never get to meet the recipients of their donations & similarly,… https://t.co/0IloTtP0Au

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

The power of hope is incredible: https://t.co/pzo5dtuPej Happy New Year 🥳 https://t.co/5AgjQLvOvC

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @acltcharity: NHS: You can still give blood under Tier 3 restrictions https://t.co/R0SGoOUesk via @wiltsgazette #blooddonation https://t.co/MuvsFZl4Le

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @dderbydave: 83rd @GiveBloodNHS donation today. Usually made into eye serum to help someone see. Late Xmas present for someone.… https://t.co/zOkWXq163r

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @CWharton23: A very moving story, if you don't already please give blood donation a try. You never know if/when you or your fri… https://t.co/Go2GhiPUrx

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

Thanks to @TNLComFund @Swab4Margot has the 💷 to better understand how best to continue to inform, inspire & motivat… https://t.co/r0PapjbFB8

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

RT @yasermartini: I first saw this poster years ago when I visited @OrinLewisOBE & @BeverleyDeGale @acltcharity for the first time. I… https://t.co/Q4AeAs98E1

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

Brilliant. So well deserved. Many congratulations to everyone @Parkdeanresorts on winning these awards & THANK YOU… https://t.co/zGyO8DYahR

2 months ago
@swab4margot
@swab4margot

DIOLCH i bawb sydd wedi bod yn wirfoddolwr Tîm Margot ac i'n holl gefnogwyr sy'n rhoi rhoddion 🙌… https://t.co/4j0K1JsAFK

3 months ago