Blog & Archive

14 September 2026

Your voice for the Stem Cell Review – patient & carer survey Slug: stem-cell-review-patient-survey

If you or someone you love has been through an allogeneic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant - or like me, you have cared for someone who has - there is a short survey open right now as part of the…

13 August 2026

Happy 14th birthday, Margot x

29 July 2026

A Generational Opportunity – Why the independent review of UK stem cell supply must deliver real change

When my daughter, Margot was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia in 2013, we discovered the hard way that the UK’s stem cell system was not built for everyone. Margot…

12 June 2026

The Second APPG Inquiry Report has been published – ‘Fit for Everyone’: Rebuilding a Resilient and Equitable UK Stem Cell Supply

Following the second inquiry conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion, the 'Fit for Everyone' report was officially published…

28 March 2026

NHSBT Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony

Nelson Olivares at NHS Blood and Transplant invited me to share Margot’s story at a Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony in central London yesterday. I’m always happy to do…

5 February 2026

Margot and Team Margot mentioned in the National Cancer Plan statement

Thrilled that @PutneyFleur highlighted Margot and @swab4margot in the #NationalCancerPlan statement. Her words spotlight the vital role of stem cell donation in tackling blood cancers. Margot’s legacy lives on - let’s make it count. #TogetherSavingLives

24 November 2025

Team Margot’s submission to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion Inquiry 2025: ‘Ensuring a resilient and sustainable UK stem cell supply for all’

Team Margot made a submission in response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnicity, Transplantation and Transfusion's 2025 Inquiry call for evidence, titled ‘Ensuring a resilient and sustainable UK stem cell supply for all’ and for the record, we…

7 October 2025

Team Margot Donor Registration Day

For me, Monday 7th October 2013 is a day I’ll never forget. What happened that…

20 September 2025

#ThankYouDonor

Today is World Marrow Donor Day, which is essentially about gratitude for the actions taken by others, for the greater good. Please join me in thanking all those who have registered as a stem cell donor by telling someone how…

4 September 2025

NHS Blood and Transplant moves towards more primary school education activity & adopts givingtohelpothers.org resources

Following the closure of the charity, Team Margot Foundation in December, we have been working towards finding a new “home” for the valuable educational resources Team Margot created, developed and hosted on givingtohelpothers.org I’m delighted to share the news that…

17 July 2025

‘CHASING THE ODDS: A JOURNEY OF HOPE’ is now on ITVx

'Chasing the odds: a Journey of Hope' is a new documentary - released on ITVx TODAY - which follows Peter McCleave on a trip to Macau in search of his stem cell donor match. I joined Peter in Macau for…

8 July 2025

Parliamentary ‘Drop In’ event promotes new stem cell documentary and the urgent need for more mixed heritage donors

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion held a ‘drop in’ event last month at Portcullis House to promote the need for more mixed heritage stem cell donors. The event took place prior to the launch of a…

9 May 2025

We should all be more Welsh !

Pictured above (L to R): Dr Daniel McCloskey (Team Margot), Jacob Knox-Hooke (Race Against Blood Cancer), Yaser Martini (Team Margot), Alan Prosser (Director of the Welsh Blood Service), Chris Harvey (Head of the Welsh Bone Marrow Registry), Orin Lewis OBE…

29 November 2024

Searching for Hope: Supporting Peter McCleave’s Life-Saving Mission in Macau

When our 14 month old daughter, Margot was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer, doctors told us that she needed a stem cell transplant to stand the best chance of survival. Prior to…

26 November 2024

The UK Stem Cell Registry: A milestone achieved, but significant health inequalities remain

In 2015, Team Margot Foundation set an ambitious goal: the doubling in the size of the UK stem cell registry to 2.2 million potential donors and the charity highlighted the urgent need for increased representation from ethnic minority and mixed-heritage…

17 October 2024

The charity, Team Margot Foundation, is closing…

Dear Friends and Supporters Today, we find ourselves at a poignant crossroad in the journey of Team Margot Foundation. Over the last decade, thanks to your unwavering support, we have achieved remarkable strides in donor advocacy and health equality. And…

1 October 2024

Team Margot Donor Registration Day #JustOneMore: A Decade of Saving Lives

This year…

21 September 2024

Reflecting on Ten Years of Worldwide Progress: A Thank You to Every Stem Cell Donor on World Marrow Donor Day

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…

5 July 2024

Labour’s Moment of Opportunity to Pioneer Health Equity from Britain

The United Kingdom stands at a unique intersection of cultural and demographic trends unlike any other developed nation. With the largest proportionate population of mixed heritage individuals in the developed world, the UK's ethnic landscape is a relatively recent phenomenon,…

28 May 2024

Reflecting on World Blood Cancer Day: Our Shared Responsibility

Today, on World Blood Cancer Day, we stand together to acknowledge the immense challenges faced by those battling blood cancers and to reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through increased awareness and donor registrations. Blood cancer has touched many lives,…

22 April 2024

With your help, May is now Mayrrow!

In December 2013, Team Margot launched Margot’s appeal for a stem cell and bone marrow donor, the recommended treatment that could give Margot and others like her, the best chance of survival. Today, Team Margot is proud to announce a…

20 March 2024

Urgent Call to Action for Improving Donor Availability and Transplant & Transfusion Equity in the UK

In an unprecedented move, over 110 experts, individuals and organisations have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister (co-signatories listed below), urging immediate actions to address the shortage of organ, blood and stem cell in the UK. Spearheaded by…

8 March 2024

It really does help if you write to your local MP – here’s how…

I am writing this blog post specifically for the blood and platelet donors who are attending the NHS Blood and Transplant Blood Recognition Ceremony in London, later…

10 February 2024

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion AGM: Wednesday 7 February 2024

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion held it's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 7 February 2024 in…

11 December 2023

Over 100 people join the APPG Inquiry report launch

A week ago today, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion launched the inquiry report: ‘Where are our nation’s donors?’ with more than 100 people in attendance. The launch followed a number of meetings with key stakeholders…

4 December 2023

APPG REPORT SAYS LIVES ARE BEING LOST BECAUSE OF LACK OF MIXED HERITAGE AND ETHNIC MINORITY DONORS

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion (ETT) today published its report “Where are our nation’s donors?”. This follows an inquiry held by…

7 October 2023

Team Margot Donor Registration Day 2023

My late daughter, Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer ten years ago today. During the early hours of the following…

6 October 2023

Margot’s father speaks at Buckinghamshire New University at the start of Black History Month

I was honoured to be invited by Buckinghamshire New University to talk at their 'Black History Month' launch event on Monday 2 October 2023, alongside Orin Lewis OBE from ACLT (African Carribean Leukaemia Trust). Special thanks to Margaret Rioga, who…

30 September 2023

Introducing… Orgtober

Tomorrow marks the start of an entirely new month… Orgtober - organ donation education month - however by simply adopting this change in language, you can start TODAY! Please read the personal Statement from our partner, Roydon Turner, Founder of…

23 September 2023

Organ Donation Week 2023

Unbeknown to me, Margot’s big brother, Oscar (16) joined the Organ Donor Register when he signed up for his provisional drivers licence. Surprised and delighted to see this come in through the post, and during Organ Donation Week too… Well…

23 September 2023

Grant Giving by Team Margot Foundation

Updated September 2023 Since it's inception and by the end of this calendar year, Team Margot Foundation will have made grants totalling £339,100, which is in addition to the £275,000+ raised & donated by Team Margot, prior to the formation…

14 June 2023

World Blood Donor Day 2023

Today, on World Blood Donor Day, 13 MPs attended a Parliamentary awareness event, organised by Sarah Olney MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion. The event, held to raise awareness of the need to increase…

13 April 2023

NHSBT Blood Donor recognition ceremony

I was honoured to be invited to speak at another NHSBT blood donor recognition ceremony today, attended by 160 people at The Stoop, Harlequins Rugby ground. The event was…

27 March 2023

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion Announce Parliamentary Inquiry into Diversity, Donation and Delivery

27th March 2023 The recently formed All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion (ETT) announced the launch of Parliamentary Inquiry into the access to donors for those from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The Inquiry was announced at the Groups inaugural…

6 December 2022

Team Margot is Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group: Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion

Team Margot Foundation had a bit of a landmark day on Tuesday 6 December when a new All-Party Parliamentary Group held its inaugural meeting. The charity conceived of this idea (thanks to one of our team, Alan Miller pictured above,…

26 October 2022

Margot’s father Yaser speaks at Cancer52’s Annual All Stakeholder Event

I was privileged to speak at the Cancer52 Annual All Stakeholder Event in London on 12th October 2022, which was attended by the Minister for Health, Will Quince. This event was marked by the launch of Cancer52's report: Taking Action…

25 October 2022

Parliamentary Reception – Celebrating Blood Donation & Black History Month

Margot's Auntie Nadia and I attended a Parliamentary Reception in the Jubilee Room at the houses of Commons yesterday, alongside NHS Blood and Transplant, ACLT Charity and The Sickle Cell Society. The event was kindly hosted by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP,…

7 October 2022

Today, we are publicly sharing Margot’s private blog, for the first time

Shortly after Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer, Vicki and I realised that we had a communication issue. Bad news travels fast and we had quickly become inundated and overwhelmed with enquiries from people who were all asking the same…

6 June 2022

Yaser Martini awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours

I am extremely proud to announce that my brother, Margot's father, Yaser has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022 for services to Stem Cell Donation. Family & friends came together as 'Team Margot' in…

3 June 2022

“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented, and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”

6 May 2021

Team Margot’s Impact Report & Three Year Strategic Plan

Dear Team Margot Supporter Team Margot was a desperate reaction to a situation thrust upon our family. Our progress since forming the charity has been homespun and the trustees recognise that going forward, in order to scale and remain strategically…

21 February 2021

Margot’s legacy is your legacy too. 

14 January 2021

London Karate supports Team Margot

Margot's brother, Rufus started learning Karate at the age of four and today (12) remains a student (purple belt). Similarly, Digby (5) took up Karate last…

27 February 2020

Parkdean Resorts adopts Team Margot Foundation as its chosen charity

On behalf of all at Team Margot, I am delighted to share the fantastic news that the UK’s largest holiday park operator, Parkdean Resorts has selected Team Margot Foundation as its first corporate charity. With 67 parks located in…

21 February 2020

The future of Team Margot Foundation is about education

Dear Team Margot Supporter Our family set up Team Margot Foundation three months after Margot died and last month marked five years as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and over six years since we…

9 September 2019

Why your mixed heritage could be vital

In 2013, my daughter Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer and she needed a bone marrow transplant to stand the best chance of survival. But a transplant isn’t possible without a donor. In the search for her donor match, we…

28 April 2019

What’s it like to actually donate ?

Donors talk about their stem cell & bone marrow donation experiences Tom [pictured - click here for his story] is just one of many people who signed up as…

11 August 2018

The Culture and Philosophy of ‘Giving to help others’

We set up Team Margot Foundation in January 2015, in memory of my daughter, Margot and to honour her legacy. A year earlier, Margot’s patient appeal for a bone marrow donor saw over 50,000 people in the UK alone requesting…

28 January 2026

Please Help Improve Access to Stem Cell Transplant Treatment by joining this study

Interview Study Recruitment: Help Us Improve Access to Stem Cell Transplant Treatment Have you been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)? Are you a caregiver or healthcare professional supporting someone with AML or MDS? I am…

13 August 2025

Happy 13th Birthday, Margot x

Were she still with us, Margot would have been celebrating her 13th birthday today. Though she is no longer with us, Margot remains our inspiration. Below are links to a few videos, in no particular order, that capture moments from…

3 July 2024

Research project to explore the enablers and barriers for stem cell and blood donation for ethnically diverse communities

PLEASE SHARE this post and encourage people who HAVEN'T signed up to the stem cell register to take part in this short survey, which is being run by Buckinghamshire New University. To take part in the survey, please either scan…

4 May 2024

May the 4th be… Mayrrow !

Tell every teacher you know about Mayrrow and suggest they download our FREE ready-to-go Mayrrow Resources here: In this folder your will find: • Teacher Resources: an overview and all the info you need! • Mayrrow Films: 3 films…

1 May 2024

May is now… Mayrrow: bone marrow and stem cell education month

Tell every teacher you know about Mayrrow and suggest they download our FREE ready-to-go Mayrrow Resources here: In this folder your will find: • Teacher Resources: an overview and all the info you need! • Mayrrow Films: 3 films…

9 January 2024

Calling for contributions from anyone involved in engaging people from minority ethnic backgrounds in stem cell / blood / tissue donation and /or biobanking

Dr Jill Shepherd, at the University of Kent was one of the more than 100 people who attended the APPG inquiry report launch last month. Jill is a Senior Lecturer in Stem…

13 August 2023

Happy birthday, Margot

Were she still with us, Margot would have been celebrating her 11th birthday today. To mark the occasion of her 10th birthday, last year I tried to compile a list of 10 videos to share, however there was so much…

26 July 2023

MARK BALE APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE STEERING GROUP FOR THE ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR ETHNICITY TRANSPLANTATION AND TRANSFUSION

Dr Mark Bale has been appointed as the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion’s Steering Group. The Steering Group is a committee of experts on the impact of ethnicity on transplantation and transfusion that advises…

30 June 2023

APPG Witness evidence sessions available to watch online

Yesterday, evidence gathering sessions were held online. These witness evidence sessions are an important part of our ongoing inquiry into health inequalities in transplant and transfusion treatments. The sessions were chaired by Sarah Olney MP on behalf of the APPG…

27 June 2023

Zoom evidence gathering session: Thursday 29th June 2023

Witness Evidence Sessions Thursday 29th June 2023 10 am – 12.30 pm We are pleased to announce the upcoming Witness Evidence Sessions, an important part of our ongoing inquiry into health inequalities in transplant and transfusion treatments. These sessions will…

12 May 2023

CALL FOR EVIDENCE – Where are our nation’s donors?

Your evidence is needed please. The inaugural stakeholder meeting of The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnicity Transplantation and Transfusion took place in Westminster on 27th March 2023. It was attended by 110 individuals, including patients, donors, families, nurses, clinicians,…

19 November 2022

Yesterday, I was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to stem cell donation

Yesterday, at the Tower of London, I was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to stem cell donation. In the lead up to the day, I had no idea what to expect, which made for an exciting and unusual…

28 September 2022

Go Pink for Organ Donation Week

Thank you to our corporate sponsors, Parkdean Resorts for continuing to support Team Margot and in particular during this Organ Donation Week. 😊 Register as an organ donor here ✅ Thank you. Team Margot Together, saving lives #GoPink #TeamMargot #togethersavinglives

11 September 2022

Thank you for your service

Thank you for your service. #RIP ______ “Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented, and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.” Her Majesty,…

13 August 2022

Happy 10th birthday, Margot

Were she still with us, Margot would have been celebrating her 10th birthday today. To mark the occasion, I tried to compile a list of 10 videos that I feel best summarise Margot’s legacy: Team Margot Foundation, however there’s so…

19 July 2022

‘Live Your Life’ Weekend 2022 to support “Emergency Grants” for families caring for child cancer patients

On 7 November 2014, eleven days after Margot died, my friend Franca Knowles also passed away. Franca was a remarkable person who had a real zest for life, coining the phrase “Live Your…

21 June 2022

Football Fun-raising walk

#WalkForDonors @WalkForDonors Please follow & share ! We are walking between 5 football clubs across Birmingham & the Black Country to raise funds for Team Margot Foundation (registered charity no. 1160236). An important part of Team Margot’s mission is to…

19 June 2022

Happy Father’s Day x

18 November 2021

Parkdean Resorts charity dinner raises £80,000 for Team Margot

Team Margot had a fabulous evening on Tuesday night at the Parkdean Resorts charity dinner, at the Sheraton Grand in London, which was a fundraiser in support of Team Margot Foundation. I have pasted the press release below, however suffice…

15 November 2021

Time running out to save Alfie – please help by registering & sharing, especially if you have Chinese or mixed heritage

8 year old Alfie URGENTLY needs a stem cell transplant and his father, Charles is trying to raise awareness of the need for more people, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE CHINESE OR MIXED HERITAGE to join the stem cell register. "It’s…

7 October 2021

Thank you for sharing your story on Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registration Day

Today is Team Margot’s Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registration Day. If you have already joined the stem cell register, please tell us why on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube👇 Thank you for sharing. Team Margot Together, saving lives #teammargot…

20 September 2021

Have the ‘heart to heart’ conversations with your loved ones during Organ Donation Week and #LeaveThemCertain

Prior to my daughter, Margot passing away, my wife raised the prospect of donating Margot’s organs. Hearing this initially was a shock for me and my instinct was to recoil; however after a day or so, having considered the situation…

18 September 2021

Today is World Marrow Donor Day 2021

Team Margot’s live stream contribution for World Marrow Donor Day 2021 is this brilliant documentary by Stephanie Gabbatt. #thankyoudonor Please watch and share. Thank you ? Team Margot Together, saving lives

13 August 2021

Happy birthday, Margot x

Margot would have turned nine years old today and whilst she is no longer with us, she remains our inspiration. I created this video montage, which glimpses back at her second year of life & Margot’s legacy: Team Margot. Thank…

22 July 2021

Guest blog by Stephanie Owens: talking about Dying Matters

I’ll never forget the moment when I received a telephone call from Great Ormond Street Hospital telling me that it was time to consider "the place of death" for my daughter, Margot. Up until that time, I had desperately clung…

14 July 2021

In memory of Margot’s grandad, John Jobburns

Margot's grandfather, John Jobburns sadly passed away on 19 June and our family is holding a memorial service for him tomorrow. Please click here if you wish to make a donation in John's memory. Thank you from us all. x

20 June 2021

Happy Father’s Day

We love you Margot. x

28 April 2021

Building Strength and Resilience in Challenging Times

You are invited to attend a 'lunchtime lecture' which is being organised virtually by Circle Square on Wednesday 5 May 2021. I have been asked to join the panel of speakers that day, to share my personal experiences of coping through…

4 March 2021

Arabella Greve, teenage author of ‘Search for the Hero inside your cells’ on Sky News for World Book Day 2021

Today is World Book Day and a time to celebrate young author, Arabella Greve who wrote “Search For The Hero Inside Your Cells” at 15 years of age. Arabella’s book is free to download here. Thank you to…

3 February 2021

Team Margot has donated or made grants of over £500,000 to people, projects and charities close to our hearts

Since it's inception, Team Margot Foundation has granted a total of £232,000, which is in addition to the £275,000+ raised & donated by Team Margot, prior to the formation of the charity. This means that to date, Team Margot has…

29 January 2021

Please take part in our impact survey ?

it won't take more than a few minutes to complete it…

1 January 2021

The power of hope is incredible – Happy New Year ?

19 December 2020

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund ?

We are delighted to announce that Team Margot Foundation has received a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. This grant enables us to partner with Skylark Works to better understand how we can best continue to inform, inspire and…

1 December 2020

Miles For Margot

A massive THANK YOU to everyone at Parkdean Resorts for your fantastic ongoing support. Wonderful people across the entire business, getting out there in support of the cause. This video captures some of the spirit, fun and achievements by…

15 October 2020

The Worst Generation

In 2017, during Black History month, Team Margot launched…

7 October 2020

Team Margot Donor Registration Day

Seven years ago today, Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer. I remember the key moments so clearly. We learned an awful lot over the subsequent days. And quickly. The doctors told us that for Margot to stand the best chance…

19 September 2020

#THANKYOUDONOR

Today (and every 3rd Saturday in September, annually) is World Marrow Donor Day - it’s a time when we say THANK YOU to everyone who has registered as a stem cell and bone marrow donor. Personally, it's also a time…

29 August 2020

The rest is up to you.

Team Margot is about awareness, education and action. We seek to educate, inspire and motivate others to take action, but in spite of all our efforts, regardless of how hard we try, we can only do so much. We can…

26 August 2020

‘Life Continues’ (Phir Zindagi)

'Life Continues' is a film written and directed by the award winning Indian duo, Sumitra Bhave & Sunil Sukthankar, that raises awareness of organ donation. The film sheds light on the complicated & emotionally charged decision-making process for families when…

13 August 2020

Happy 8th birthday, Margot. x

Margot would have turned eight years old today and whilst she is no longer with us, she remains our inspiration. I created this video montage, which glimpses back at her second year of life & Margot’s legacy: Team Margot. Thank you…

21 June 2020

Happy Father’s Day ! x

We love you Margot. x

20 June 2020

Thank you for watching & sharing ?

On Father’s Day weekend, Sky News speaks to our friend, Peter McCleave who has Myeloma, a conventionally incurable blood cancer. Incredibly, Peter’s efforts, since his diagnosis in 2017, has resulted in over 40,000 new registrations & lifesaving stem cell and…

10 June 2020

Register your decision & tell your loved ones

Over the past 4 weeks we have been posting ‘Works of Heart’ from the HeartatHome.org project. We want to thank everyone for doing their bit during lockdown and in particular, having regard for and protecting the most vulnerable, who are…

28 May 2020

World blood cancer day 2020

Today is World Blood Cancer Day. Please take a moment to consider how blood cancer patients are immune suppressed and therefore amongst the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The most vulnerable are still shielding. Thank you for protecting them. Team Margot…

13 May 2020

HEART AT HOME: “THANK YOU” FOR PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE

We are delighted to share our new campaign, HEART AT HOME: WORKS OF HEART BY LEADING ARTISTS…

5 May 2020

COMING SOON #HeartAtHome

Supported by NHS Blood and Transplant Orgamites Team Margot All Good Co. Giving to help others Let Love Live On Live Life Give Life Thank you for your support. Team Margot Together, saving lives

22 March 2020

Happy Mother’s Day x

As per government advice, wishing all mothers a ‘socially distanced’ Happy Mother’s Day. Stay safe and well. ? Team Margot Together, saving lives (and not just by registering as donors) _____________ In this video, Margot asks "Where Mummy Be ?"…

19 March 2020

Get involved during isolation – some hints and tips

From tomorrow, schools are to close as the UK goes into lockdown, like so many other countries, in at attempt to slow down the spread of Covid-19. The last time our family had to contend with “isolation” was six years…

23 January 2020

CONGRATULATIONS ! Team Margot Atlantic Rowers

WeRowYouRegister.org

21 January 2020

Team Margot’s 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean is almost complete…

Sometime tomorrow, 40 days after leaving La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Guy Dresser, Hamish Miller & Martin Beaumont of the Team Margot Atlantic Rowers, three…

28 December 2019

Interview on BBC RADIO 5 – Live from the Atlantic Ocean

Follow Team Margot Atlantic Rowers in the ‘Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge’ via the YB Races app: For more, visit: WeRowYouRegister.org ____________________ #TeamMargotAtlanticRowers #PullingTogetherSavingLives #TWAC2019 #WeRowYouRegister #YouCanSaveALife #stillsearching #forPeter

15 December 2019

Donations, yes – but not of the financial kind

A quick video recap on why our team are rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean... ? Follow Team Margot Atlantic Rowers in the ‘Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge’ via the YB Races app: for more, visit: WeRowYouRegister.org ____________________…

12 December 2019

And they’re off !

Team Margot Atlantic Rowers embark on the 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean... ? WeRowYouRegister.org ____________________ #TeamMargotAtlanticRowers #PullingTogetherSavingLives #TWAC2019 #WeRowYouRegister #YouCanSaveALife #stillsearching #forPeter FOLLOW TEAM MARGOT ATLANTIC ROWERS IN THE ‘TALISKER WHISKEY ATLANTIC CHALLENGE’ VIA THE YB RACES APP:…

9 December 2019

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, it cannot have escaped your notice that there’s a momentous event taking place on 12 December…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently, it cannot have escaped your notice that there’s a momentous event taking place on 12 December: the start of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. On Thursday, 35 boats will embark on a…

29 November 2019

Arabella Greve wins ‘Young hero of the Year’ Award

We are thrilled to share the news that Arabella Greve won the John Petchey Young Hero of the Year award for her superb work, last…

27 October 2019

We miss you, Margot x

Margot passed away five years ago today. She died peacefully, at home surrounded by those who love her. Thank you for all your love and support. Vicki, Yaser, Oscar, Rufus, Digby & Humphrey. We miss you Margot. x ____________ …

7 October 2019

You don’t have to do anything extreme… we just want you to register

On Monday 7 October 2013, Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer. Today…

30 July 2019

#LiveYourLife 2019

if you’re already on the register, please nominate a friend & encourage 'Just One More'…

25 July 2019

Pinkspiration Week (23-30 July) #werowyouregister

26 June 2019

Episode 6 – Peter McCleave needs a stem cell donor to save his life…

12 June 2019

#MyBloodStory by Margot’s father, Yaser

My daughter's life was saved by blood donations & Margot was kept clinically well for over a year by platelet & red cell transfusions. Our family are unspeakably grateful to all blood donors as we had more time with…

10 June 2019

Post your own #MyBloodStory for National Blood Week

#MyBloodStory “I don’t like needles.” That was always my answer to why I didn’t give blood. However when Margot was sick and needed a regular supply of blood products, it made me look at blood donation in a different way.…

5 June 2019

Another massive thank you to Old Vicarage School 

Last year, Team Margot Foundation was selected by Old Vicarage School as its charity for the 2018 /2019 academic year. Earlier today, I went into the school to thank the girls and their teachers for their incredible donation to Team…

28 May 2019

It’s World Blood Cancer Day & 500 pubs and bars are making their mark by supporting ‘Pinkspiration Week’

Today is WORLD BLOOD CANCER DAY when people around the world show their support for people with blood cancer. Make YOUR mark and become a stem cell donor ! A growing number of operators across the hospitality sector are marking…

21 May 2019

Episode 5 – Jackie Doyle-Price MP, Minister for Health and Social Care

Previous Episodes Episode 1 The (first) wrap job Episode 2 We deliver our boat to Yiannimize Episode 3 Our boat is wrapped! Episode 4 Martin & Yaser meet stem cell donor & puppeteer,…

7 May 2019

We did it ! Celtic Challenge 2019 ✅

After 4 years of preparation and training and two previously unsuccessful attempts, I’m delighted to report that Team Margot Rowers finally completed The Celtic Challenge, our mixed team having successfully navigated the crossing in a little over 20 hours, finishing…

5 May 2019

It’s now or never

Team Margot Rowers first formed & began training for the Celtic Challenge over four years ago. A year later, much to our disappointment, Celtic…

16 April 2019

Guest blog: Is your heritage more mixed than you think?

Over coffee one surprisingly sunny January morning, Yaser was updating me on all the developments at the Team Margot Foundation. As you’ll know, there’s always rather a lot going on, and I get…

10 April 2019

Episode 4 – Martin & Yaser meet stem cell donor & puppeteer, Alex Heaton (a.k.a. Chewbacca)

9 April 2019

Yiannimize – Part 1: Our Tour Car

Before the accident... Thank you to Yianni, Bert and all the team at Yiannimize. It's fantastic to have your support. Team Margot Together, saving lives

7 April 2019

More bad news…

Oh dear. Sorry to hear, Skipper. ?‍♂️ And with the Celtic Challenge less than a month away... _______________ #bikeaccident #brokenshoulder #brokenelbow #setback #ouch #couldntmakethisup #TeamMargotAtlanticRowers #PullingTogetherSavingLives #twac2019 #WeRowYouRegister #YourStemCellsCanSaveALife #OceanRowing #Rowing #OrchardPig #FromOrchardToOcean #GoPigOrGoHome #RowPigOrRowHome

4 April 2019

Time for a rethink…

15 March 2019

Royal Assent given to new Opt-Out Organ Donation Law

Organ Donation What do these two words mean to you? To me, organ donation means loss, life, and legacy. To others though, organ donation can sometimes be a controversial subject as it means discussing death and no one likes to…

13 March 2019

Hospitality Industry set to support ‘Pinkspiration Week’ in July, as part of Team Margot Atlantic Rowers #WeRowYouRegister campaign

The hospitality industry once again stepped up in support of Team Margot at the Publican Awards last night in London. Team Margot Atlantic Rowers were represented at the awards by charity trustee, James Cuthbertson and the 1,400…

5 March 2019

’Giving to help others’ launches new primary school resources

We are proud to announce the launch of our brand new educational resources, created in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant. The free, curriculum-linked resources will empower children and teachers in primary schools across the UK to understand why and…

25 February 2019

Episode 3 – Our boat is wrapped !

24 February 2019

Episode 2 – We deliver our boat to Yiannimize

21 February 2019

We Row. You Register.

Dear Team Margot Supporter Five years ago today, my daughter Margot received her bone marrow transplant, thanks to an anonymous male donor from Germany. Whilst the transplant didn’t succeed, our family is nevertheless unspeakably grateful to the anonymous bone marrow…

20 February 2019

Episode 1 – The (first) Wrap Job

2 January 2019

Guest blog by Anne Knobloch: “Children helping Children”

My name is Anne, I lived in London for 13 years, which is where our twin girls, Amélie & Sophie were born in 2007 and where we got to know Vicki & Yaser, Margot’s parents. Years later, we’d already moved…

22 November 2018

Thank you Old Vicarage School !

Today I went to Old Vicarage School where the pupils presented me with a huge cheque both metaphorically and physically ! Team Margot Foundation was selected as the school’s charity when Margot’s cousin and her friends nominated Team Margot as…

15 November 2018

Team Margot works for compulsory Health Education to include stem cell & bone marrow donation

Back in July this year, the Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds MP, announced that age-related content about good physical and mental health will be a compulsory subject to be taught in schools from 2020. Team Margot Foundation was…

2 November 2018

Guest blog by John Barnes, peripheral stem cell donor

This is the story of how I gave the gift of life by donating Stem Cells. I am a regular blood donor and during a blood donation session I saw a leaflet about joining the bone marrow register. At the…

20 October 2018

The power of hope is incredible

05:06 20 October 2018 Wow. Humphrey woke me up & now I can’t sleep. Just stumbled into this tweet & re-read my blog post + extract from Margot’s journal, September 2014. Brings it all back & then?... the video of…

8 October 2018

Guest blog by Michelle Grail, peripheral stem cell donor

I registered as a donor in January 2014 when I heard Margot's story from a friend. I couldn't believe it was so easy as to swab your mouth, and then you were registered as a donor. And I couldn't believe…

7 October 2018

Team Margot’s Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registration Day 2018

REGISTER NOW AND DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO SAVE SOMEONE’S LIFE! CLICK HERE AND REQUEST A DIY REGISTRATION KIT & SWABS IN THE POST I can hardly believe that it was five years ago today that my daughter, Margot was…

15 September 2018

THANK YOU DONOR !

Incredible as it may seem, simply talking about & sharing Margot’s story is saving the lives of blood cancer patients all over the world.…

3 September 2018

Let’s get talking about organ donation

Of the half a million people who die in the UK each year, less than 1% die in situations where they could become an organ donor. That's because the…

13 August 2018

Happy 6th birthday, Margot. We miss you. x

Margot would have turned six years old on 13 August 2018. This music video looks back at the second year of her life & the legacy that she leaves behind. Thank you for your love and support. x

26 July 2018

Live Your Life 2018

A few days before Margot died, I wrote this blog post: Reading it back, I note the following words in particular: “It’s abundantly clear that Margot loves life and she wants to live !” Franca…

20 June 2018

Mixed emotions

Earlier this week, Margot’s auntie Nadia and I visited two more primary schools in the London Borough of Southwark, strictly as observers, to watch the ‘Giving to help others’ assembly presentation pilots being delivered. We again witnessed teachers delivering our…

13 June 2018

“Because it’s the right thing to do”

Today I attended the second of our ‘giving to help others’ assembly pilot presentations, this…

9 June 2018

‘Giving to help others’ education programme begins roll out

This has been a seminal week, in that on Wednesday Margot’s auntie Nadia and I were excited to visit St Anthony’s Roman Catholic Primary School, to watch the first of our assembly pilot presentations being delivered in the London borough…

28 May 2018

World Blood Cancer Day

TODAY is World Blood Cancer Day #WBCD and we’re marking the occasion by glimpsing back to this same date in 2014, which was a little over seven weeks after Margot returned home from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Margot had…

14 May 2018

Do good, feel good

It’s ‘mental health awareness week’ so I’m sharing three of our…

20 April 2018

We can all become philanthropists

Giving, granting and donation are words used by philanthropists and their advisors. In most cases these words relate to money. Charitable giving revolves around wealth investment and links to charities and…

12 April 2018

National Education Union spotlights Team Margot’s ‘Giving to help others’ education programme

Team Margot is delighted to feature on the National Education Union's ATL Safer Schools website this month. ATL's Safer Schools network brings together the expertise of leading organisations, practitioners and academics to signpost education professionals, young people and parents to…

21 March 2018

Donor & Patient meeting

Nadia in between Aysha and…

27 February 2018

Team Margot Foundation – Review of Year Three (2017/18)

Dear Team Margot Supporter My daughter, Margot died on 27 October 2014, aged two years and two months and we registered Team Margot Foundation as a charity three months later, in her…

17 January 2018

An afternoon at Westminster: autologous stem cell transplant trials and The ‘Hidden’ Cancer report

Margot’s auntie Nadia & I spent a few hours at the Palace of Westminster this afternoon, initially attending the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Stem Cells, chaired by Mark Tami MP and…

12 January 2018

‘Finding the Perfect Match’ by Stephanie Gabbatt

During the course of this week, we have been thin slicing this excellent documentary by Stephanie Gabbatt on our social media platforms, to make it more easy to watch and share, however for anyone who wishes to see the documentary…

12 December 2017

NOW is the time to share your views on a new organ donation system.

Team Margot Foundation welcomes the Government consultation on an organ donation opt-out system, which has launched today. It's a vital opportunity for us to make systemic changes for the better, so that fewer people will die waiting for a suitable…

20 November 2017

Supporting Team Margot: Mayfield School, Dagenham

Earlier this year, I was invited to speak to the sixth form students at Mayfield School in Dagenham, and I was delighted to learn that the students not only embraced Team Margot but in particular that they have continued to…

14 November 2017

Another Team Margot donor shares their experience

We are delighted to have been contacted by Tessa Roberts, during the course of the last several weeks. Initially,…

3 November 2017

Team Margot & NHS Blood and Transplant launch new primary school education programme: ‘Giving to help others’

For much of this year, our attentions and…

27 October 2017

We all miss you, Margot x

Margot passed away at home, three years ago today. She died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Thank you for all your love and support. Vicki, Yaser, Oscar, Rufus & Digby We all miss you Margot. x

24 October 2017

Photography exhibition ‘The Power of One’ comes to City Hall

'The Power of One' photographic exhibition features three people who signed up because…

7 October 2017

Team Margot Stem Cell & Bone Marrow Registration Day 2017

Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer on 7 October 2013 and today marks the third anniversary of the Team Margot Stem Cell & Bone Marrow Registration Day. On this day each year, we seek to encourage people to sign up…

5 October 2017

Engaging in the organ donation debate on radio today

Click on the image above to hear Margot's father, Yaser in conversation with Nick Ferrari…

5 October 2017

“Shifting the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation”

The Prime Minister announced yesterday that we will now be "shifting the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation". This statement triggers a government consultation which will outline ways to increase rates of organ donation and proposes to automatically…

21 September 2017

Team Margot Foundation has been nominated as ‘Best Charity’ in The Sun’s inaugural ‘WHO CARES WINS’ Health Awards

THANK YOU everyone for your support and many congratulations ! Team Margot Together, saving lives FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE. WHAT’S INVOLVED WITH A STEM CELL OR BONE MARROW DONATION WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STEM CELL…

16 September 2017

Don’t forget those who are mixed race, like you. 

Until my daughter, Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer & needed a bone marrow transplant in order to stand the…

7 September 2017

It’s good to talk.

We agree completely. It's Organ Donation Week. Talk about it with someone you love. Team Margot Together, saving lives FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE. WHAT’S INVOLVED WITH A STEM CELL OR BONE MARROW DONATION WHAT’S THE…

6 September 2017

Margot’s story touches on the three main types of donation…

Margot's story touches on the three main types of donation: bone marrow / stem cells, blood & platelets and organ donation. As it's Organ Donation Week, I thought it worth re-posting this recording, which was sparked by a discussion on…

5 September 2017

when Vicki raised the question of donating Margot’s organs

During summer 2014, after Margot had been declared conventionally incurable by the doctors, we took her for a two week stint at Sheffield Children's Hospital, to try…

4 September 2017

If you’d be prepared to take…

The attached image neatly summarises the very same sentiment that my wife, Vicki expressed during an interview with an Australian breakfast TV channel in early 2014. To watch the interview, click: We'd like more people to think about this.…

1 September 2017

Don’t do what I didn’t…

Two days after our daughter, Margot died, a home pregnancy test confirmed that Vicki & I were expecting another child. It was late October 2014. [

30 August 2017

URGENT – BRITISH SRI LANKANS: YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP PLEASE, TO SAVE A LIFE

I received a phone call earlier today from a concerned father, who’s son is being treated for his blood cancer…

12 August 2017

Happy 5th birthday, Margot x

We all miss you. x

3 August 2017

On average, there’s a donation every week from someone who registered because of Margot…

Earlier this week we discovered this story of a donor called Tom, who signed up as a potential bone marrow donor because of Margot... It's wonderful and touching to read - please see below or click here to visit DKMS…

28 July 2017

#LiveYourLife17 Photo competition

As part of the LiveYourLife17 activities that are taking place this weekend, there are many pubs promoting…

20 July 2017

“Should non-donors be given an organ ?”

"Should non-donors be given an organ ?" asks Michelle Clifford at Sky News today. Her article circles around the same sorts of issues that Margot's mother, my wife Vicki flagged in early 2014, during an interview on an Australian breakfast…

20 July 2017

You’re invited…

A week before Margot died, I wrote in a blog post that in spite of being really very unwell “it’s abundantly clear that Margot loves life and she wants to live!” Less than three weeks later, my friend, Franca died…

16 July 2017

“… provided I’m fit and healthy.”

This is something I tend to catch myself saying, in the context of my own life: I want to live a long life, provided I'm fit and healthy. And so…

9 July 2017

Yeovilton International Air Day

Margot's brother, Rufus, my friend James and I travelled down to the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton in Somerset yesterday for their annual International Air Day. This is a hugely popular ‘Fly Navy’ airshow which showcases the Royal Navy’s…

26 June 2017

Hopefully, my day won’t be completely wasted… Here’s how you can help

As I write, I'm sitting outside Hammersmith Town Hall, having just been turned away from my blood donation appointment. I was quietly looking forward to giving blood & now feel…

19 June 2017

National Blood Week

SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS, WHILE GOING…

18 June 2017

Happy Father’s Day ! x

We love you Margot. x

1 May 2017

The Celtic Challenge 2017

Margot's Grandad Jeff & AJ "the best builder in London" at Fishguards on their way over with the boats - we couldn't have done the challenge…

27 April 2017

Thank you, Margot x

As I write, I'm sitting on a plane, taxing along the runway at London's Heathrow airport, on an outward bound flight to Dublin which is to be followed by a drive to Arklow, in county Wicklow. There's a lady in…

26 April 2017

Weather permitting… we leave TOMORROW!

Suddenly... it's TOMORROW !…

11 April 2017

Guest blog on Cord Blood

When we talk about "giving to help others", we do so in the…

5 April 2017

A dreadful co-incidence or just another awful stat of life ?

Earlier this year, I received a phone call from a lady called Hardeep Sambi at Mayfield School in Dagenham, inviting me to attend a school assembly for their sixth formers…

26 March 2017

Sea Rowing Practise

In a little over 4 weeks time, Team Margot Rowers will be travelling to Ireland for the start of the Celtic Challenge 2017 - a 95 mile rowing race across the Irish Sea, from Arklow to Aberystwyth, likely to take…

23 March 2017

Team Margot Ambassador, Harley Bird on being the voice of Peppa Pig

Margot's friend and Team Margot Ambassador, Harley Bird on being the voice of Peppa Pig. Brilliant. Thank you for your support Harley ! Team Margot Together, saving lives

5 March 2017

Unfortunately, not everyone is like you.

I had my mobile phone snatched from me in the street earlier this week, by a man riding a moped. It was shortly after 11pm and I was standing by Old Street roundabout in London, using my mobile phone to…

21 February 2017

Team Margot Foundation – Review of Year Two (2016/17)

Dear Team Margot Supporter My daughter, Margot died on 27 October 2014 and we registered Team Margot Foundation as a charity three months later, in her memory and to honour her legacy.…

25 January 2017

Because of Margot

Fabulous news from Margot's auntie Charlotte (one of Team Margot Foundation's trustees) in Wolverhampton about her amazing friend Rajbinder Kullar - who is…

22 January 2017

A moment of reflection

Thank you NHS Blood & Transplant for inviting me to speak at your Recognition Ceremony on Friday, to all the fabulous blood and platelet donors receiving their awards for 100x blood donations & 250x platelet donations. By addressing them, I…

19 January 2017

”Through the action of young Londoner’s comes real change”

If you re-read the above headline & substitute "young Londoner's" for any other community or group of people, the statement still rings true. After all, it's real change and having a meaningful social impact and outcome that we are all…

12 January 2017

Your race and ethnicity is vital, when it comes to giving blood

People of black and Asian heritage are beginning to be represented in all walks of society, from the arts, sport through to politics. However one key place they aren’t representing themselves is in blood donation sessions. To inspire the next…

8 January 2017

Mental May-hem ? Do something positive & feel better

In an interview on Sky News this morning, the Prime Minister, Theresa May outlined her plans to tackle the issues around mental health & how we might get over it's associated stigma, not least because 1 in 4 people will…

4 January 2017

Thank you & Happy New Year !

Thank you for all your fantastic & continued support. Wishing you the very best for 2017. Happy New Year ! Team Margot Together, saving lives

21 December 2016

We wish you a Merry Christmas…

and a Happy New Year ! The above snap was taken on Christmas Eve 2013. We were pleased that Margot was well enough to come home from Great Ormond Street Hospital for a few days & were leaving notes…

13 December 2016

You can save a life – directly, or indirectly (or both)

On the 24th March 2015 I held a Delete Blood Cancer Registration…

6 December 2016

Here’s one quick & easy way you can help

Yesterday, Margot's auntie Nadia and I attended our first NBTA meeting, at the Department of Health. NBTA is The National Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Transplant…

28 November 2016

Thank you for your continued support

I popped in to see my mother earlier today & whilst there, she showed me the local "Reporting Back" newsletter from our constituency MP and Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening. In particular, she wanted to draw my attention…

21 November 2016

Mitzvah Day is a Jewish led day of social action…

Law student Sue Harris died in 1997, aged 34, despite a campaign in which thousands were screened in the hope of finding a bone marrow match to her rare tissue type. The Trust continues the work…

27 October 2016

Our dear little daughter, Margot passed away at home, two years ago today…

Our dear little daughter, Margot passed away at home, two years ago today. She died peacefully, surrounded by those who love her. Thank you for all your love and support. Vicki, Yaser, Oscar, Rufus & Digby We miss you Margot.…

25 October 2016

What would inspire you register as a potential donor ?

Judy Leden, joined the register because of Margot & then went on to donate her stem cells to a patient in need. Hear her explain why she decided to join the stem cell…

16 October 2016

Early indications show spike in number of new potential donors

Click here to watch & listen to "Light The Way", a ballad written by EUTC students, Grace Hynds & Daniella Bernard, inspired…

7 October 2016

Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registration Day 2016

Introducing "Light The Way" by Grace Hynds & Daniella Bernard. A Team Margot & Elstree University Technical College (EUTC) Production (l to r) Daniella Bernard (composer), Yaser Martini (Margot's father), Grace Hynds (singer/songwriter) and Nadia Martini…

3 October 2016

Mumsnet & a special invitation to join us on Friday

As we near Team Margot's Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day on Friday, our awareness activity is beginning to crank up and we are delighted to be supported by Mumsnet, who today posted and tweeted about Team Margot and…

26 September 2016

You’re unique.

17 September 2016

You might be the only one who can save a life.

On 7th October 2013, Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer. This year, it's the date we will be releasing a song & music video in her honour, that includes an unprecedented call to…

13 September 2016

17 September is World Marrow Donor Day: THANK YOU to Donors EVERYWHERE !

Team Margot Foundation wishes to thank all those potential donors who have gone on…

8 September 2016

Margot’s Dr explains why we need unrelated donors & the huge difference they have made

Earlier tonight, Margot's auntie Nadia & I were invited to attend an event at The Royal Society hosted by NHS Blood and Transplant. The occasion was celebrating 30 years of the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) as well as 20…

4 September 2016

Team Margot at The Great River Race 2016

WELL DONE to all the…

31 August 2016

Back in training for The Celtic Challenge

Oliver (Y3) who is the son of one of our rowers, painted…

27 August 2016

Guest Blog: Team Margot Denmark

In May 2015 I wrote my first guest blog on teammargot.com Quite a few things have happened since then: 1. I have become a part of the Stem Cell Committee of the Danish Patients' Organisation for Lymphoma, Leukaemia and MDS…

24 August 2016

Team Margot at the NYSE

Team Margot's Christian Drobnyk was at the ringing of the opening bell ceremony earlier today at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Thank you Christian for everything you're…

22 August 2016

Guest Blog: Birthdays are a gift, not a right 

I’ll show my hand from the off – I have the absolute honour of being a trustee of Team Margot Foundation and I’m a friend of the Martini’s…those two things are really important in my life, really important. If I…

16 August 2016

#missingtype

Join us in supporting the NHS Blood and Transplant with their ‪#‎missingtype‬ campaign, calling for more blood donors, which launches today. For more information about the campaign, please click here. Thank you. Team Margot Together, saving lives

13 August 2016

Happy 4th birthday Margot

We all miss you. x

12 August 2016

Team Margot is good for your mental health and well being

I received these text messages earlier today. I was really looking forward to giving blood at 4pm and the first one I received was a helpful reminder for me to drink lots of water. The second text message I received…

8 August 2016

Living life well: Vesta Magazine

Thank you Henrietta. x Team Margot Together, saving lives

27 July 2016

Live Your Life Day – Friday 29 July

My friend, Franca died 11 days after my daughter, Margot on 7 November 2014. Franca was a remarkable person who had a real zest for…

22 July 2016

Could you be someone’s Golden Ticket?

I saw these photographs posted earlier today from one of our supporters who recently went to give blood - thank you for sharing Maria ! The photographs show both sides of one of 35,000 Golden Tickets (printed hard copy) that…

13 July 2016

“Racial Justice”

with the remarkable Kathryn Cartwright, who after two stem cell transplants, needed a liver transplant - following which the liver donors stem cells ejected her German donors stem cells and hunkered down - an accidental stem…

3 July 2016

Team Margot Ten Miler: Sunday 2 October 2016

Run for Margot! Margot lived right on one of the gates of London's Richmond Park. Home to thousands of deer, parakeets, swans, geese, sky larks, runners, dog walkers, skaters, skiers...and cyclists and visited by over 5 million tourists every year,…

28 June 2016

Thank you Tower House School !

Earlier tonight, The Junior classes at Tower House School held their end of year 'Moving on up'…

20 June 2016

Completing unfinished business: Team Margot at Transpyr 2016 (again)

Last year, one of my friends, Tony (Antonio) Henriquez & his friend Rafa set…

19 June 2016

Happy Father’s Day ! x

We love you Margot. x

6 June 2016

Thank you for sharing x

Earlier this evening, I received an uplifting email from a complete stranger who learned about Margot today and came away inspired to spread the word. Thank you for sharing Lauren and also for agreeing to let me post your email…

2 June 2016

Team Margot Foundation continues to help fund leukaemia Research

Last year, through Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, we funded some leukaemia research which is being undertaken by Doctors Owen Williams and…

30 May 2016

NHSBT Donor Recognition Ceremony & World Blood Cancer Day

On Friday, I was honoured to have been invited to speak at a Donor Recognition Ceremony held…

20 May 2016

Team Margot Parliamentary Reception

COULD YOU BE SOMEONE'S GOLDEN TICKET? Together, saving lives - (L to R) Emma Cook, CEO Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry; Peter Mas-Mollinedo, CEO Delete Blood Cancer UK; Yaser Martini, Margot's father; Henny Braund, CEO Anthony…

17 May 2016

Lifetime Achievement Award

Very touched to have received this Lifetime Achievement Award tonight at the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Awards Dinner. THANK YOU again Andrew Griffiths MP, the APPG Beer Group & Great British Pubs for all your fabulous & ongoing support. Team…

10 May 2016

A chance encounter & a meeting of minds

A couple of weeks ago, we travelled to Denmark for the weekend for a special family occasion. On our return journey home, whilst at a…

7 May 2016

Wednesbury Athletic FC draw against Walsall Legends & retain The Margot Martini Cup 2016

Earlier today, and for the second year running, Wednesbury Athletic FC competed for the Margot…

2 May 2016

Team Margot Rowers & Arklow Ladies Win the Celtic Challenge 2016 Time Trial in Aberystwyth

Following the disappointment of Celtic Challenge 2016 having been cancelled last week, a number of the Team Margot Rowers regrouped and headed down to Aberystwyth where the race would have finished over the weekend, really as a bit of a…

27 April 2016

The Celtic Challenge 2016 has been CANCELLED

Given the poor forecast weather conditions over the next few days, the Celtic Challenge Committee met last night and decided that they…

25 April 2016

Team Margot’s Medical Courier activity at KidZania London

Our education initiative centres around making children of primary school age conscious of how 'giving to help others' (giving blood, giving platelets, giving stem cells / bone marrow and ultimately organs) can help save a life. It's an ambitious long…

19 April 2016

THANK YOU for your ongoing support for Team Margot Foundation

We find it difficult to keep up with the many good things that people are doing both in Margot’s memory and also in support of Team Margot Foundation - so please forgive me if I am remiss and have missed…

16 April 2016

Day trip to Lymington for sea rowing practise

Our Celtic Longboat, The…

12 April 2016

Cyprus, Morocco & South West London

As I type, I'm on the return flight home from Cyprus, where I have been visiting the Karaiskakio Foundation, the country's bone marrow registry, which is based in…

3 April 2016

#MATCH4TOMMY – Appeal for more mixed race donors as firefighter’s son battles Leukaemia

Tommy Simpson is a 4-year old boy of White (British) and Black (Caribbean) heritage who loves nothing more than playing with his toy aeroplanes and putting on his Dad’s uniform, pretending to be a firefighter. In January 2016 he was…

21 March 2016

Grab a pen and paper… (ASAP please!)

If you can find a few minutes, please take the time to send a letter to your local MP (see how below). You'll see that we have drafted a sample letter for you to use, but we are learning that…

18 March 2016

An anonymous patient to donor letter

The donor / recipient process is anonymous, certainly for the first two years post transplant. We wrote to Margot’s donor in April…

9 March 2016

Delivering the UK Stem Cell Strategy: Improving equity of access for Black, Asian and minority ethnic patients

Nadia and I were very pleased to be invited to the above mentioned Anthony Nolan event today in Parliament. Mark Tami MP, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cells chaired the meeting, which saw various presentations given…

3 March 2016

Does ethnicity priming impact on a person’s propensity to give blood?

If you're from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, you may wish to take part in this research study, which has been shared with us by NHS Blood and Transplant. This is part of an MSc dissertation which…

2 March 2016

The Garden Bridge

Last night, Vicki and I were privileged to be invited to a spectacular event heralding The Garden Bridge. Amongst the many people we met, was Sue…

28 February 2016

Blood donation earlier today – a family affair

[nimbus_row] [nimbus_column column_number="6"] [youtube] Thank you to Daniella Bernard at Elstree UTC for this wonderful piece of music. The Elstree UTC offers full-time technically orientated courses to students aged 14-19, specialising in the entertainments industries. Students work with Elstree UTC…

21 February 2016

Team Margot Foundation – An overview of our first year

Dear Team Margot Supporter We never imagined that we would set up a charity, but that’s precisely what happened on 29 January 2015 when Team Margot Foundation was entered on the Charity Commission’s Register of Charities. Background In October 2013,…

19 February 2016

‘I was there’

Margot's auntie Nadia and I have been meeting NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and the British Bone Marrow Registry…

14 February 2016

Do it for love

It has been proven that human beings are physically attracted to people with a different HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen - which is more commonly referred to as 'tissue type'). Biologically, this makes sense; people with different HLA will produce offspring…

6 February 2016

Video blog: Katrina – one year post bone marrow donation

[youtube] Thank you Katrina. Team Margot Together, saving lives

3 February 2016

How you can help in the fight against blood cancer, on World Cancer Day

By Nadia, Margot's auntie Tomorrow, Thursday 4 February, is World Cancer Day. The aim of this global annual awareness day is to try and save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease along…

30 January 2016

Getting ready for The Celtic Challenge 2016

During the last weekend in April, Team Margot will be embarking on the Celtic Challenge, a race across the Irish Sea from Arklow to Aberystwyth, in a rowing boat. A Celtic Longboat boat is only set up for 4 rowers…

27 January 2016

Brussels, MEP’s & The World’s Biggest Pub Quiz

Last night I was at Brewers of Europe House…

24 January 2016

More Parliamentary questions

Over the last few months we have started to get more political. We believe that focussing our campaigning within Parliament will help move…

19 January 2016

It’s rare to be a platelet donor, but the need for platelets isn’t rare

These days, I'm a regular blood donor, but that wasn't always the case. Previously, I thought that blood donation…

16 January 2016

Earlier today on LBC radio…

Earlier today LBC radio were talking about organ donation, so I called in. Click the YouTube video below to hear the interview. [youtube] Team Margot Together, saving lives

14 January 2016

Team Margot call to action: if you’re mixed race, we urgently need your help – you could be a match for Lara & others like her

Margot was also mixed race.…

11 January 2016

The best way you can help yourself, is to help others.

Delete Blood Cancer UK are appealing for people to share their post…

7 January 2016

Update: 98 people potentially matched with a patient in need

It's been an enjoyable & busy ! first seven days to 2016 for a variety of reasons: Former pyjama moments: the boys with Margot in November 2013.…

4 January 2016

Don’t just give up. Give

Another superb campaign by NHS Blood and Transplant. Become a blood donor: Thank you. Team Margot Together, saving lives ...…

1 January 2016

Don’t do it… unless you’re sure you want to.

Recently, the parents of a young child who needs a bone marrow transplant got in touch with me to share their situation. They explained that one matching donor has been identified for their child, however their growing concern is that…

24 December 2015

Merry Christmas & best wishes for 2016 !

15 December 2015

Spare yourself the shame

I'm a lucky guy. Positive things, good things tend to happen to me. And that left me with a false sense of security a couple of years ago,…

12 December 2015

You can save a life & it could be Hazel’s …

Christmas, two years ago: Margot found herself at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant to stand the best chances of survival. Her siblings were not a match, so we had to hope that an…

10 December 2015

Is that the beer talking ..?

I have been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, but last night was the first time I…

5 December 2015

“I believe that children are our future…”

Guest Blog by Margot's Auntie Nadia I am one of Margot’s Aunties and a co-founder of Team Margot. Yaser has mentioned me in various blog posts, but I prefer to work behind the scenes, that is unless I’m presenting to…

1 December 2015

#GivingTuesday

Today is #GivingTuesday a global day of giving and a call to action for everyone who wants to give something back. And that makes…

25 November 2015

Team Margot’s first Parliamentary question to the Secretary of State for Health

Margot's auntie, Nadia and I have been getting a bit more political recently and consequently we have been reaching out to…

14 November 2015

Did you know …

that platelets are yellow ? I didn't, until Margot urgently needed them and they were requested for immediate transfusion. We were at Great Ormond…

11 November 2015

Special Award for Outstanding Contribution

Last week, Vicki collected a Delete Blood Cancer UK Special Award for Outstanding Contribution at the “Let’s Make a Spark” Delete Blood Cancer UK Awards Event. This is their highest award, which recognises the significant and inspirational role played by…

7 November 2015

A Virtual Register for the Rest of the World

Margot’s auntie Nadia & I were pleased to have been invited to attend the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) Fall Meeting…

1 November 2015

If you haven’t already, please do something amazing…

I lost count of the number of blood and platelet donations Margot received after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Thank you to all the anonymous blood…

25 October 2015

Thank you to blood donors everywhere

Thank you to NHSBT (National Health Service Blood & Transplant) for inviting me to speak at another Donor Recognition Ceremony last Friday, to a room full of wonderful people who have selflessly donated blood 100 times and platelets 250 times.…

24 October 2015

At Excel, London earlier this week…

Thank you Pete Bacon Darwin & all the team from Angular Connect for inviting Team Margot and Delete Blood Cancer UK to attend The Official European Angular Conference 2015 and for allowing me to present to 1,200 developer delegates, just…

22 October 2015

“What’s worse than having leukaemia ?”

"Being Black and having leukaemia." So reads a poster on the wall of the offices of ACLT charity. Another reads: "All leukaemia patients have the same chance of finding a donor. Unless they’re black." The same can be said if…

17 October 2015

“Giving to help others”

Throughout 2015, Margot’s auntie Nadia (my sister) has been presenting and speaking to children at various Primary school assemblies - to date, Nadia has spoken to over…

14 October 2015

Some highlights from last week

[nimbus_row] [nimbus_column column_number="6"] The launch of our international Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day last week was a fabulous success. Here's a recap on some of what took place; rather than writing about it, I thought it…

11 October 2015

Guest Blog by Judy Leden MBE (peripheral stem cell donor)

Amongst the tens of thousands of people who registered as a result of Margot's appeal last year, is three times World Hang Gliding and Paragliding Champion and world altitude record holder, Judy Leden MBE from Derbyshire. Judy went on to…

7 October 2015

Thank you and Congratulations !

Today is the inaugural Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day Thank you for all your support and for helping to create such a buzz in the days, weeks & months leading up to today and many congratulations…

30 September 2015

It’s almost 2 years since Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer

[nimbus_row] [nimbus_column column_number="6"] On 7 October, it will be two years since Margot was diagnosed with blood cancer. Margot was 14 months old at the time. Margot was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital and went straight into the Paediatric…

28 September 2015

When Margot’s white cell count was low and the % of donor cells present in her blood was rising…

I'm trying not to dwell in the past too much, but nevertheless I find that I can't help myself from glancing back at the journal that I kept last year, particularly reflecting on the times which were especially poignant. September…

23 September 2015

Guest blog: Team Margot were “OARsome” at The Great River Race

Guest blog by Rob James of Plantation Shutters The Great River Race, "the one they all want to win", has firmly established itself in the sporting calendar to such…

19 September 2015

#25MillionThanks

It's World Marrow Donor Day (#WMDD) and we are saying #25MillionThanks to all those who have signed up to potentially save someone's life - THANK YOU ! #25MillionThanks because this year the number of people on the worldwide stem cell…

18 September 2015

#BleedForEngland

The England rugby team open the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham tonight. The opening match kicks off against Fiji at 20:00. Meanwhile, NHS Blood and Transplant has launched a fantastic new campaign with some iconic England rugby players because…

14 September 2015

Please download, print & display

In advance of Wednesday 7 October, please help spread the word by clicking the image below to download our Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day poster. Then PRINT and DISPLAY in your workplace & local communities for…

10 September 2015

Have a chat about Margot & see how that makes you feel

I often wonder how Margot's donor feels about his experience of donating bone marrow. I'm curious. And…

9 September 2015

Volunteers needed on 2 October in Brighton

Corinna is organising a donor registration event working with Delete Blood Cancer UK at Brighton University on 2 October 2015 and is seeking the help of some volunteers. If you are willing & available on Friday 2 October from 9am…

6 September 2015

Bloodwise, Childhood Cancer Awareness & World Marrow Donor Day

There's quite a lot happening in September, as far as cancer awareness is concerned, so I thought I would share some of what has caught my attention. Bloodwise launched their new brand and name a few days ago (Bloodwise were…

5 September 2015

Our first donor registration event in Poland

A video message of thanks (in both English & Polish - thanks Izabela!) to all the fantastic volunteers in Lomza: [youtube] Thank you also to DKMS & of course, Izabela ! Good luck today ! Team Margot Together, saving lives…

3 September 2015

Wishing everyone a good first day back at school !

Today: Rufus started in Year 2 and Oscar moved into the senior school in Year…

1 September 2015

Team Margot completes The Rolex Fastnet Race 2015

A word from our friend, Vicky Singlehurst following The Rolex Fastnet Race 2015, which was still underway this time two weeks ago... Hello everyone, I did it! I'm really pleased to tell you that…

31 August 2015

Katrina, Team Margot Donor receives an update on her recipient!

Team Margot Ambassador & bone marrow Donor, Katrina who (along with tens of thousands of others) joined the UK stem cell register after hearing of Margot's appeal, recently received this letter from Delete Blood Cancer UK with an update on…

29 August 2015

If you’re at the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend…

please visit our friends, Bev, Orin & the team at ACLT. And spread the word ! Have a great weekend ! Team Margot Together, saving lives

27 August 2015

When I first met you, Blue Kangaroo!

We recently received another lovely surprise in the post: a copy of the latest Blue Kangaroo publication…

24 August 2015

Celebrate the good times !

On this day last year, we were all celebrating Margot's auntie Noura's birthday. Noura is…

22 August 2015

Organ & Tissue Donation

This time last year we were caring for Margot from home, having returned from an unsuccessful two week stint in Sheffield with an experimental treatment. And 'tutu racing…

3 August 2015

Save yourself money & help to save a life.

We are constantly trying to come up with new ways in which we might make a difference in the fight against blood cancer, by raising awareness and helping like-minded people and charities. You might have noticed the new image &…

2 August 2015

When Margot wore her first tutu…

she absolutely loved it ! We were still in Sheffield this time last year and for whatever reason, Vicki decided to introduce Margot to her first tutu. Margot was utterly thrilled with it and wouldn't stop admiring herself in…

30 July 2015

Thank you x

The hospitality industry joined together on 30 July to raise awareness for Live Your Life Day, a charity initiative run in honour of my friend and former Beds and Bars people director Franca Knowles who died last year, a couple…

29 July 2015

Thank you for supporting in the fight against blood cancer

There's been a huge amount of activity behind the scenes in the lead up to tomorrow's Live Your Life Day, an initiative which first came about only a couple of months back when…

28 July 2015

Experimental treatment & the big question

Margot, Vicki, Izabela and I were at Sheffield Children’s Hospital a year ago today. At the time, we were told that Margot was "conventionally incurable”, so after much deliberation, Vicki and I had opted to try an experimental treatment called…

24 July 2015

Guest blog from Sam Sarsfield

The first time I watched the Team Margot YouTube video appeal I cried my eyes out. To this day, it remains one of the most emotive and heartfelt things I have…

22 July 2015

Doing what’s best for Margot & our chat with the boys

Journal excerpt - 22 July 2014 07:09 I have been up for about half an hour but didn’t sleep until 02:30, so feel the need to rest some…

21 July 2015

An impossible decision – 21 July 2014

More from my journal on this day last year... Team Margot Together, saving lives === 12:00 Vicki & I meet Dr Ancliff at GOSH (without Margot): The Leukaemia is winning over the new donor cells. Unless we do something –…

20 July 2015

Town to Coast Charity Ride

Sometimes I find it difficult to keep up with all the fantastic Team Margot activity that's going on and occasionally, I miss the opportunity to record what's been happening ! This is one such case in point: the Town to…

20 July 2015

Margot was mixed race and so is Elsie

Today, David Cameron spoke in Birmingham about tackling extremism and during the course of his speech he spoke about how "Britain is a beacon for the world” because of it’s diversity. He…

19 July 2015

Dealing with bad news

Margot & our family were wrestling with all sorts of issues this time last year. Margot had been living back at home since 10 April and we were largely able to care for her ourselves, under the tuition and thanks…

16 July 2015

Team Margot’s fourth donor (thus far !)

We love hearing from people who joined the stem cell register, particularly those who did so after learning of Margot's appeal and then go on to actually…

12 July 2015

Unknown unknowns

We have had numerous people comment and remark upon my recent blog post, 'Don't assume they already know'. It seems that the fact that even medical staff, including doctors and nurses, are unaware of the bone marrow / stem cell…

8 July 2015

The Free Help Guy – a modern day superhero

Vicki & I were recently contacted by Laura Burdon-Manley from TV station RT UK, who wanted to interview us…

6 July 2015

Don’t assume they already know…

Digby Martini - born on Friday 3 July 2015 by c-section, weighing…

2 July 2015

Live Your Life Day 2015 – Supporting Team Margot

2 July 2015

Thank you Alastair Campbell

Team Margot Together, saving lives

30 June 2015

Guest blog: UR the Cure – Awareness, Education, More life-saving matches

Margot's appeal was covered internationally by the media and I know from Google Analytics that we still have visitors coming to this website every day, from all over the world. That's really encouraging, given the global nature of the issue…

26 June 2015

Team Margot heads for the Pyrenees

Sometimes, people do the most incredible things. I have skiied with my friend Antonio Henriquez a few times over the years. Antonio is a partner at international law firm,…

25 June 2015

The Margot Room

I honesty don't know why I'm surprised, because Robin told me that it was happening, but "seeing is believing" as they say ! Robin Norris is my old friend at Keystone Group, who I caught up with earlier today. He…

24 June 2015

A meeting of minds

23 June 2015

HLA-identical sibling donors

Meet Pete Andrews who is pictured here with me at The Beer Marketing Awards on 14 April; this photo was taken on the very same day that…

22 June 2015

Together, saving lives

I was in central London earlier today and had some time spare, so I made a bee-line…

20 June 2015

Happy Father’s Day x

20 June 2015

“Beyond this, anything we try with a curative approach is essentially experimental”

There was an awful lot going on this time last year. We had a huge amount of information to process and alongside that, there was also a great deal of research that we were doing, looking into possible alternative treatments.…

19 June 2015

It’s complicated, which is why Team Margot is a ‘signpost’

I first read about Sue Lloyd Roberts on Wednesday morning. This lady is a celebrated BBC journalist who has myelodysplastic syndrome and she desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. My heart goes out to Sue & her family & friends;…

17 June 2015

Hanging on to hope

In telling Margot's story, I regularly look back through my journal to see where we were this time last year. Having learned…

13 June 2015

Recognition Ceremony for Blood Donors

It's National Blood Week and Vicki & I were invited to attend a 'Recognition Ceremony' held by NHSBT (National Health Service Blood & Transplant) in a Central London hotel yesterday. This was an…

12 June 2015

Relapse & fighting fear

This day last year was Friday 13 June - it was another key day in our lives. The date makes it an easy one to remember - it…

7 June 2015

Clapham Swab for Team Margot “has relit my faith in humanity”

Another two Team Margot events took place today: Maria Smith held a registration / awareness day at Springfield Park, Kidderminster whilst in London, Emma McPhie organised a donor registration event…

2 June 2015

Live Your Life

Another emotionally charged day which began shortly before I read a hospitality industry newswire. The headline 'Story of the Day' read: "Keith Knowles becomes chairman of Yummy Pub Company and donates his salary to the Live Your Life charity partnership…

31 May 2015

The Margot Martini Cup

Earlier today, in Great Wyrley in Staffordshire, an exhibition football match took place between the celebrated Wolves All Stars and Wednesbury Athletic FC,…

30 May 2015

How are you coping ?

As a family, I know we're not alone on our journey. I'm not referring to all the wonderful people who have helped & supported our family, nor all the fabulous folk who are…

27 May 2015

Give a click on World Blood Cancer Day 2015

At the start of this month, I had the great pleasure of meeting Katharina Harf,…

25 May 2015

Thank you for your support & generosity

Lots to report on this weekend with three events having taken place: An unstoppable duo: Sarah & Claire (front left)…

22 May 2015

Our ‘Just One More’ campaign is one year old today

20 May 2015

GP surgeries, dentist waiting rooms, reception areas…

We're delighted that our new Team Margot wristband display boxes are starting to get around & demonstrate their worth. I recently popped my head into our local GP surgery to touch base with the fabulous Pauline on reception (pictured wearing…

19 May 2015

Margot’s brothers, Oscar & Rufus speak out

[youtube] Well said boys. Please click here to find out how you can join the stem cell register. And then encourage 'Just One More' to do the same. Thank you. Team Margot Together, saving lives Please click here to listen…

17 May 2015

“Charity begins at home”

I'm 'brand new' to charity - in the sense that our charity is only a few months old - but I'm learning fast and I often find myself chewing over what charity means, to me and also what it might…

17 May 2015

Memory Day

On Friday, Vicki & I attended a Memory Day at the Shooting Star Chase Hospice for the families of children who are no longer with us. Margot never actually spent any time at the hospice but following her death Shooting…

15 May 2015

“I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t for Margot’s campaign”

I'm so lucky – I get to do the most remarkable things and our charity work means that I occasionally get to meet very special people who have…

13 May 2015

Vulnerability created Team Margot

Recently, I reconnected with the psychologist who helped me last year during some difficult times when I found myself struggling and in a bit of bother. After listening to me today, she suggested that I watch a Ted Talk by…

11 May 2015

Support from Mr Selfridge

The cast & crew of Mr Selfridge were filming locally this morning, so Margot's auntie…

9 May 2015

Nor do you know me

We've been accused of naivete for trying to run a charity based purely on unpaid volunteers - and we're sure there is at least an element of truth in that; no doubt…

6 May 2015

Another thoughtful partnership…

There are so many positive things going on right now that I really haven't had much chance to sit down and gather my thoughts over the last few days. Thanks…

30 April 2015

Guest blog from Selina Mills

Over the past six months since Margot’s death, I have often wondered, both as a friend, and a seasoned journalist, why Margot’s story affected so many all…

26 April 2015

Mother’s instinct

This blog post is a bit longer than usual. It charts some of our thoughts during the course of about a week, this time last…

26 April 2015

Thanksgiving & Remembrance

Vicki & I were in town yesterday for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance, at the invitation from Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was held in St George the…

25 April 2015

I love you, Blue Kangaroo!

The latest version of Margot's favourite book "I love you, Blue Kangaroo!" is now in the shops and available online... Whenever I read this book to Margot, I'd read the "I love you" part and Margot would finish the sentence.…

23 April 2015

Thank you, Team Margot !

"Margot lit a flame in us and in so many others, none more so than the people that rallied around during the darkest days. It was these same people, you, that helped us find purpose and at times, perspective, even…

22 April 2015

The ‘What if ?’ Scenario

I wrote the following post a year ago today; it was 12 days after Margot returned home from Great Ormond Street Hospital following her bone marrow transplant. Margot…

18 April 2015

Vicki wins Inspirational Mother Award

Vicki was nominated, shortlisted & today won an Inspirational Mother Award 2015. On accepting the award, Vicki said: "I just did what any mum would do... This is…

17 April 2015

La Tasca raises £1,000 for Team Margot Foundation

La Tasca chefs dish out Paella4Margot; Margot's auntie Charlotte (R) & uncle Durand with Claire Bull from Team Margot,…

13 April 2015

“Margot thank you for making me smile with that gorgeous smile…”

We recently received a wonderful update from Maria Smith, who has been extremely busy registering potential stem cell donors in Worcestershire over the last few…

12 April 2015

“Your Average Bone Marrow Donor”: Michael Silverstein

Margot, last September - we are so grateful to her bone marrow donor for his miraculous gift, which…

10 April 2015

How do you thank someone who has saved your life ?

On 10 April 2014, Margot was finally discharged from Robin Ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), after 8 weeks in isolation. At the time, we believed…

9 April 2015

KKD5: So who’s in charge?

As the voluntary donor you can feel like you call all the shots in terms of when things happen. Those arranging the donation…

6 April 2015

KKD: “I don’t understand why more people aren’t registered.”

One of the 35,000+ people who registered as a potential stem cell donor last year was my friend, Katrina Krishnan Doyle. Katrina also happens to be one of the…

4 April 2015

Rufus: “Easter 2014 was the best so far…”

[youtube] === You can gift a patient in need a second chance at life & at the very least, more time with their loved ones. We are unspeakably grateful to…

4 April 2015

On the day Margot was supposed to come home…

On 4 April 2014, Margot was 'Day 42' post BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant). This was supposed to be the day that Margot came home, however it began at 07:26 with Vicki calling to say that Margot’s temperature was 38.4C. Tests…

4 April 2015

Campus Ambassador Application:Laura Pacheco

Laura Pacheco is a past stem cell donor and attends Union College in Schenectady, NY. Laura has kindly agreed to share her excellent video application to be a 2015-2016 Campus Ambassador. Thank you Laura ! [youtube] US partners, Gift of…

29 March 2015

Patient confidence & psychology

As March 2014 drew to a close, it felt like Margot was in a good place. Margot's bone marrow transplant appeared to have been successful and her appetite was starting to return. We were steadily working towards weaning Margot off…

27 March 2015

Coast2Coast gear up on BBC Radio Shropshire

Click the image above and scroll to 02:46:10 to listen to Alex Hill of Coast2Coast & Rebecca Wilson from Delete Blood Cancer…

26 March 2015

KKD4: Medical scrutiny

Team Margot Ambassador and bone marrow donor, Katrina Krishnan Doyle (KKD) continues to take us through the next steps of her donor journey below. If you scroll down to the section headed 'Recent Blog Posts' you can identify her earlier…

25 March 2015

Meanwhile, across the pond …

The Miracle Match Madness Program, which is being…

24 March 2015

This time last year: “Margot is 99% disease free”

This time last year, Margot appeared to…

23 March 2015

Would you stake your life on a 50/50 bet ?

Last week, the…

19 March 2015

KKD3: Needles !

In this, the third blog post written by Team Margot Ambassador & bone marrow donor Katrina Krishnan…

16 March 2015

Jeremy Clarkson could do us all a favour…

Over the last few days, there have been a couple of headline news stories which have stuck in my mind and this prompted a few observations from me, which I thought I'd share. Apparently, Jeremy Clarkson now has about 1…

16 March 2015

KKD2: Being matched.

We're all different and there are no rights or wrongs when it comes to how we feel. There is only how we feel. This is the second blog post from my friend Katrina (KKD) who shares her feelings about her…

15 March 2015

Lots of love on Mother’s Day

In this video, Margot asks "Where Mummy Be ?" and teases her Grandad about the colour of a playdoh turtle... [youtube] Lots of love on Mothering Sunday. x === You can save a…

11 March 2015

KKD1: The DIY swab kit

This is the first in a series of blog posts written by Katrina Krishnan Doyle (KKD) which charts her journey from initial awareness & action through to actual…

9 March 2015

Team Margot is now a charity

The hospitality industry has been a fantastic supporter of what we are doing and the support just keeps on coming - please click here to see the article that was published today by the Publican's Morning Advertiser. Our fantastic association…

8 March 2015

New Team Margot Record

Another 58 new potential stem cell…

3 March 2015

Team Margot Partners with Gift of Life in America

Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation & Team Margot Partner For Nationwide Campus Ambassador Program 3 March 2015: We are delighted to announce our new partnership with American Registry, Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, in conjunction with their Campus…

1 March 2015

The generation of mixed cultures and genes

A year ago, Vicki and I met a brilliant gentleman, Dr Daniel J. McCloskey, who is Deputy Director of the Clinical Transplantation Laboratory at The Royal London Hospital. Daniel McCloskey is a tissue typing veteran of some 30 years and…

27 February 2015

Katrina donates her bone marrow

[nimbus_row] [nimbus_column column_number="6"] Donation Day [youtube] The following day... [youtube] [/nimbus_column] [nimbus_column column_number="6"] ... and 48 hours later. [youtube] Katrina has kept video diaries & notes ever since starting her 'donor journey' and is happy to share her experiences with…

22 February 2015

Team Margot 2015 video

This video was long overdue a rehaul, as is this website; we are working on making these changes slowly but surely. Please watch this video and then SHARE in whatever way you can. Thank you. x [youtube] To find out…

21 February 2015

Margot’s bone marrow transplant video

Stem cell / Bone marrow transplants themselves are surprisingly unremarkable events, which belies their vital significance. The bone marrow itself looks very much like blood and the transplant process…

18 February 2015

Anxiety prior to Margot’s bone marrow transplant

As the day of harvest arrived, I found myself feeling extremely anxious and unsettled. Poor Margot was all over the place, sometimes very sick and other times up and about, full of energy & life. We had no way of…

17 February 2015

Another day of calm, then the nastiness began…

Vicki, Izabela and I did whatever we could to help Margot settle back into hospital life on Robin Ward. We…

16 February 2015

Finding a matching donor is just the end of the beginning…

For Margot, there was a huge amount of energy directed towards finding her a matching donor - to have a bone marrow transplant, first you need a matching donor - but once one was found, our attentions shifted back to…

15 February 2015

Pre-BMT conditioning

After a suitable donor match for Margot was eventually found, her bone marrow transplant (BMT) was scheduled for 21 February. So this time last year, we were arriving back…

6 February 2015

‘Coast 2 Coast’ cycle event inspired by Margot

I recently had the great pleasure of speaking to Adam Flood, the organiser of the forthcoming 'Coast 2 Coast' - a 300 mile cycle ride, over 4 days, which is both an awareness event and also a fundraiser in aid…

4 February 2015

The cure for blood cancer is YOU.

Today is World Cancer Day 2015, which is taking place under the tagline "Not beyond us". In the…

2 February 2015

SAM (Sharing America’s Marrow)

You might have noticed the new information stream at the bottom of this website, just to the left of centre. It's a RSS feed taken from…

1 February 2015

“If you’d be prepared to take…”

Ally (Team Margot Wolverhampton) recently shared the results from a trial run by the Behavioural Insights Team, in partnership with DVLA (Driving…

31 January 2015

Meanwhile, ‘Mega Beats’ in North London…

Inspired by the recent Team Margot and Delete Blood Cancer UK events Lola, Bella, Ella and Rosie in Year 5 at Weston Park primary formed a band known as "Mega Beats" and performed some songs at the Windmill on Weston…

31 January 2015

Plymouth Swab for Team Margot

Having been inspired by Margot's…

28 January 2015

Individual Social Responsibility

At a conference I attended earlier this week, during a digital briefing, one of the speakers described all the attendees in the room as "digital immigrants", as opposed to our children who are far more likely to be "digital natives".…

27 January 2015

In advance of our Plymouth event…

Another GREAT radio interview, this time by Lucy who is organising the forthcoming Team Margot donor registration event on Saturday this weekend: Plymouth…

27 January 2015

Expedition Margot : putting the kit through it’s paces…

Polar explorer, Henry Cookson is captured here testing out the kite surfing equipment, having received the newly produced Expedition Margot kites. [youtube] April 2015 will see Expedition Margot setting off on an epic challenge crossing Greenland’s ice caps on a…

24 January 2015

Taunton Swab for Team Margot increases the number of potential stem cell donors in Somerset by 45%

Shortly after 07:30 this morning as I was nearing Taunton, I caught the news on BBC Radio Somerset, which announced our donor registration event at North Street Church. The newsreader made the point of…

22 January 2015

Last year’s GOSH fundraise goes towards ‘elegant’ research project

Earlier today, Vicki…

20 January 2015

Joining the stem cell register is a “gateway” to other giving

The words "organ donation" tend to have a shock effect on people, particularly if they haven't properly considered or thought…

18 January 2015

Margot’s story resonates with children in primary schools

One of the unexpected positives to come out of our Blood…

18 January 2015

Hundreds register on a day of firsts…

Yesterday, we held the first Team Margot donor registration event since Margot passed away, in partnership with Delete Blood Cancer UK, at Coleridge Primary School in North London. It really was a fabulous day which oozed a superb sense of…

16 January 2015

Local businesses support Blood Cancer Awareness Week

Team Margot's Blood Cancer Awareness Week has seen lots of fantastic…

13 January 2015

Team Margot Blood Cancer Awareness Week

In the lead up to our donor registration event on Saturday in Crouch End, this week is a Team Margot Blood Cancer Awareness…

12 January 2015

The Margot Bow

When my daughter Margot was just four months old I put a bow in her hair for the first time. I joked with my mum, Margot's grandmother, that in the 80's my sister and I wore the "Fergie Bow" but…

11 January 2015

Singing Hands – we salute you!

One of the big challenges that we faced during the in-patient months at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH),…

9 January 2015

Whilst we weren’t looking …

something quite remarkable was happening on Friday 12 December last year. Having been inspired by Margot, a wonderful lady called Alix decided to seize the initiative and take action. She and her colleagues got thinking: What would be the…

7 January 2015

A cause for celebration

In response to Margot's donor appeal, more than 35,000 people joined the UK register as potential stem cell donors. As a result, statistically this means that over the next ten years, more than 500 people WILL now have the option…

3 January 2015

Start the year by saving a life…

Others like Margot desperately need your help. There are over 37,000 people worldwide and 1,800 in the UK alone who are urgently seeking a stem cell…

1 January 2015

Team Margot ‘How to’ Guide & Pack

We hope Team Margot will continue to grow & flourish. We wish to work with you to increase the stem cell registries worldwide, starting right here in the UK. Together,…

31 December 2014

BBC Radio 5 Live interview

Also published today: Express and Star 31.12.14 - to…

31 December 2014

Initial target: 4% of the UK population on the stem cell registry

As December 2013 drew to a close, we were beginning to get some real momentum going with Margot's donor appeal. ITV London decided to broadcast Margot's story, which helped give an additional boost to our efforts and in the coming…

30 December 2014

Donor meets recipient…

There are many similar videos of donor meeting recipient, but this one is a particular favourite of mine. To watch it, please click on the photo. It's one of the reasons why I refer to tissue typing as being a…

29 December 2014

“Your worst enemy cannot hurt you as much as your own unguided thoughts.” Buddha

Given all the personal and family disruption and trauma that occurs when a loved one is battling cancer, people regularly & often ask: "how are you coping ?" Of…

28 December 2014

There’s a first time for everything

A year ago today, I gave blood for the first…

24 December 2014

THANK YOU & Merry Christmas !

A year ago today, Team Margot started a campaign to find Margot her perfect match. We didn't ask anyone for money - instead, we sought their benevolence. We did this for love and we hoped that our appeal might encourage…

22 December 2014

On my last birthday…

Excerpt from my private blog entry on this day last year: Last night was a bit patchy, but today was a really good day and a lovely way to spend my birthday. Margot at home and family & friends visiting.…

18 December 2014

A trip to BBC Broadcasting House

As part of the 'year in review' on BBC Radio 5 Live, we were invited to an interview with Rachel Burden at BBC Broadcasting House this morning to talk about Margot and her legacy, so we decided to make it…

17 December 2014

At Mayor’s Question Time today…

We were delighted to receive an email from the Deputy Mayor's Office today, informing us that Victoria Borwick asked a question at Mayor’s Question Time today about stem cell donation and more specifically, about setting up a stem cell swabbing…

14 December 2014

Our introduction to BMT

On 19 December last year, Vicki & I had a meeting with Margot's bone marrow transplant consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital. What follows are excerpts from the notes I took at the…

11 December 2014

Tissue typing: a dark art

Another private blog post about the search for Margot's matching donor. I'm sharing this "news" and information at much the same pace with which we received it, albeit…

9 December 2014

Our “emotional & sanity insurance policy”

This time last year, the transplant team at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) were busy searching for a donor match for Margot on the…

8 December 2014

‘Tis the season to be…

selfless & benevolent. It is the season of goodwill after all: You can save a life. Please register as a stem cell donor and encourage Just One More to do the same: Friends who came to our Margot…

5 December 2014

Video: Team Margot at SOHN Conference

[youtube] Peter Harf, founder of DKMS introduces & welcomes me on to the stage at the Sohn London Investment Conference on 19 November 2014

5 December 2014

Did you know, that if you’re a blood donor…

Like all leukaemia patients, Margot relied heavily on blood products, receiving many red cell & platelet transfusions to maintain her wellbeing. THANK YOU to all the heroic blood donors out…

1 December 2014

“It won’t ever happen to me …”

Someone wrote a post on the Team Margot Facebook page the other day and it got me thinking about human nature & the way we tend to behave. It made me reflect…

30 November 2014

When you wish upon a star

A year ago today... [youtube] You can save a life. Please consider joining the stem cell registry as a potential donor. The easiest way is a painless, five minute online registration following which you have roughly a 1 in 1,200…

29 November 2014

Phyzzpod in honour of Margot

On Wednesday 26 November, I attended the Scottish KidsOut Question of Sport evening, which is held in Glasgow at The Old Fruit Market. KidsOut is a children’s charity; founded in 1999, it delivers a range of Children’s Services and is…

24 November 2014

To live in hope

I have been looking back at the private blog that I began keeping a few days after Margot was first diagnosed with leukaemia. Only a year has passed and yet I'm surprised at how much I actually remember or more…

21 November 2014

‘Everyday heroes’ can be just like you and me.

Super heroes are one-of-a-kind, but 'everyday heroes' can be just like you and me. Today is Anthony Nolan's HERO DAY & we're joining them in encouraging people, not just in the UK but all over the world, to be everyday…

20 November 2014

Team Margot addresses The Sohn London Conference

Earlier this year, I was privileged to be invited to speak at the Sohn Conference by one of the London committee, Manuel Stotz. Yesterday, the 3rd Annual Sohn London Conference took place - it was organised by Bloomberg &…

16 November 2014

A surprise at the cinema

We decided to take Oscar & Rufus to the cinema this afternoon & booked tickets to see 'Nativity 3: Dude, where's my donkey?!' knowing nothing more about it other than the boys seemed to know about the film and thought…

12 November 2014

We miss you Margot. x

Margot in the Elephant Ward playroom at Great Ormond Street Hospital a month ago today. Margot's arms were being prepared with surface anaesthetic cream to enable the nurses to insert yet more cannulas, after her Hickman line (central line into…

5 November 2014

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

We held a private service for Margot yesterday at Mortlake Crematorium. We are most grateful to Reverend Dorothy Moore Brooks, the Chaplain from Great Ormond Street Hospital who kindly agreed to lead the service and also to Bianca Effemey from…

27 October 2014

Thank you for all your love and support.

At 10:24 this morning, our dear little daughter, Margot passed away at home. She died peacefully and was surrounded by those who love her. Thank you for all your love and support. Vicki, Yaser, Oscar & Rufus x 27 October…

26 October 2014

An hour at at time.

Margot's condition has deteriorated significantly over the past couple of days and in particular since yesterday afternoon; she's now in a very poor and fragile state. A syringe driver has been introduced to combat the increased & more intensive need…

24 October 2014

The spirit is willing …

It stands to reason that as the percentage of donor cells in Margot’s blood falls, the white cell count would rise again given the lack of 'opposition’ and this was the ominous revelation…

22 October 2014

Birdy picked my nose

[youtube] Earlier this evening - this was the most chatty I have seen Margot for over a week. 22 October 2014

21 October 2014

Stroll around the house

21 October 2014 === You can save a…

19 October 2014

Margot is our inspiration

Margot has been really very unwell over the last few days, however she continues to fight & be strong and we are pleased that she has…

16 October 2014

Pseudomonas is overwhelming Margot

More bad news : the latest test results reveal that there is a large amount of pseudomonas in Margot's blood and in her stool. It's also in her marrow - frankly, it's everywhere. This is the same particularly nasty bug…

14 October 2014

Welcome back.

Margot was discharged from Great Ormond Street Hospital early this afternoon; it's great to have her back home. Generally speaking, Margot is 'OK' however the repeat infection she suffered and the operations she…

13 October 2014

Portacath

Pre-operation earlier today. Margot had a new central line (a portacath) installed; we hope the IV antibiotics will help Margot overcome her recent infection and that she will be well enough to leave hospital & return…

11 October 2014

Steady as she goes

Margot eventually had her infected Hickman line removed on Thursday evening (9 October) and two temporary cannulas were fitted whilst she was under…

11 October 2014

Not a good day after all

Margot's bone marrow aspirate procedure earlier this week & the subsequent marrow test proved disappointing. In the event, it was not a good day after all. The initial marrow test has revealed leukaemic blasts in about 95% of her marrow…

11 October 2014

It isn’t negative !

Personally speaking, I have changed my world view on Margot’s condition over the last few days. I accept that there’s little medical basis for feeling overly positive, but the fact is that against all odds, Margot is still with us.…

10 October 2014

Home care

10 October 2014

Cautious Surprise & Delight

Margot has had a reasonably stable 24 hours. She is still having 'ups and downs' but in the scheme of things, her current condition is immeasurably better than it was on Saturday night. We are hopeful that tomorrow Margot will…