Tuesday 8 December 2009: Secretary of State for Schools, Rt Hon. Ed Balls MP, announced today £165,000 of Government funding for a nationwide education project about bone marrow donation, fulfilling the dying wish of campaigning journalist and leukaemia patient Adrian Sudbury.
Speaking at a parliamentary reception for the Anthony Nolan Trust, Mr Balls acknowledged the success of the Register and Be a Lifesaver project which was run as a pilot earlier this year in South Yorkshire and Bristol. Describing the project as "outstanding" he recognised that "training volunteers and getting them into schools is making a massive difference."
The funding announced today is for a two year rolling education programme to sixth forms and colleges across the UK. The project aims to educate and change the attitudes of young people towards donating bone marrow, and also to encourage blood and organ donation.
Adrian Sudbury spent the last few months of his life campaigning vigorously for better education and information for young people on the importance of bone marrow donation. His passion and perseverance led to support from the Prime Minister, the then Health Secretary Alan Johnson, and Ed Balls.
The R&B Project was set up by The Anthony Nolan Trust, NHS Blood & Transplant and the Sudbury family following Adrian's death in 2008; so far 65 specially trained volunteers (Adrian's Army) have given 120 presentations to over 5000 students.
Adrian’s father Keith Sudbury welcomed today’s announcement saying: “The more young donors we can recruit to the bone marrow register, the more lives can be saved - it’s that simple. It was Adrian’s dream to see education programmes for all 17 to 18 year olds. He would be really proud of what we have already achieved with this project and thrilled by today’s news.”
Anthony Nolan chief executive Henny Braund echoed his views: “There are over 16,000 people worldwide waiting for a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. By educating young people about joining the register, and dispelling some of the myths around donation, we can save many more lives.”
Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHSBT also welcomed the announcement: "NHSBT is delighted that the government had agreed to roll out Register and Be a Lifesaver nationally. It is crucial that young people are made aware of the need for more blood, organ and bone marrow donors,” she said.
“This project builds upon NHSBT's current work in secondary schools. We look forward to continued partnership working with the Anthony Nolan Trust and will consider what further support NHSBT can provide for this project going forward."
