Ten years ago, when Margot needed a bone marrow transplant, the world felt a little different. The worldwide stem cell donor registry was about half the size it is today. That’s a sobering thought. Back then, Margot, like so many others in a similar situation, was racing against time, hoping for a match, a chance. Our family and community (Team Margot) came together to campaign tirelessly, shining a spotlight on the importance of registering as a donor. “You might save a life” my wife and I said “and it could be our daughters.” Team Margot weren’t just advocating for Margot; Team Margot was advocating for everyone who faces the desperate need for a transplant.

A decade has passed since then, and the progress is heartening. The worldwide stem cell registries have grown exponentially (it has almost doubled) and there are essentially now 43 million registered stem cell donors worldwide. Every year, more and more people are selflessly stepping forward to offer a part of themselves, sometimes literally, to save someone they may never meet. It’s a reminder of the power of community and collective action.

Today, it’s appropriate to pause and say thank you – again and again and again. Because the simple act of saying “thank you” to every donor means we acknowledge that behind every registration is a story, a decision, and an act of love. The gratitude doesn’t fade with time, and nor should it.

To every single person who has signed up to a stem cell register, especially during the past ten years, thank you. You are the hope that people like Margot, and countless others, have clung to in their darkest hours. The simple fact that there are now millions more donors on the register is a testament to the fact that, when asked, the world answers.

As we look to the future, it’s important to remember that while we’ve made significant progress, there’s still so much more to do. The challenge now is not just about numbers – though we need those to continue growing – but it’s also about diversity. For some patients, finding a match remains painfully elusive, especially if they are from minority ethnic backgrounds, or like Margot, they are mixed heritage. 

This needs to change, and it can, with continued awareness and action.

So, as we celebrate ten years of World Marrow Donor Day, let’s take a moment to look back at how far we’ve come. And let’s pledge to keep going, so that in the next ten years, even more lives can be saved.

Thank you all so much again.

Yaser, Margot’s father
Team Margot
Together, saving lives

#WMDD24, #WMDD, #thankyoudonor, #wmddthrowback #cheersto10years #togethersavinglives #TeamMargot

Yaser

Husband to Vicki and father to Oscar (2007), Rufus (2008), Digby (2015), Humphrey (2017) & Margot (2012-2014)