Christmas came early for young leukaemia patient Joe Cawse when he met up with Penelope Cruz .The star had heard that the eight-year-old needed a bone marrow transplant, and wanted to help his appeal.
Charity The Anthony Nolan Trust played “cupid" in arranging the meeting after Penelope met their courier on a bone marrow mercy dash for another UK youngster, on a flight from Madrid to London. Penelope instantly wanted to help other patients who could not find donors, and was united with a young patient called Joe.
Actress Penelope Cruz is joining The Anthony Nolan Trust’s national campaign to encourage people to give the gift of life this Christmas by joining the Charity’s bone marrow register.
Ms Cruz, who has been filming in London, met with eight year old Joe Cawse from Kent. Joe was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2004 and is still waiting for a donor. Joe’s mum Sheriden said:
“We were absolutely devastated when Joe was diagnosed with leukaemia – it’s been a truly horrendous and terrifying few years. We were told that a bone marrow transplant was Joe’s only option, but a donor hasn’t been found yet. Joe’s prognosis was two years, but that was three years ago so we’ve beaten that. Joe was so excited about meeting Penelope Cruz – she was really warm and friendly and seemed to understand the issues facing families like us. It makes a huge difference to all of us that an international star like Penelope Cruz is supporting The Anthony Nolan Trust’s life saving work. I hope Penelope’s heartfelt support will encourage more people to join and enable many more patients to have the chance of life!”
Ms Cruz said:
“I was very surprised to discover there are two different ways to donate your bone marrow and the second way is a much easier, less invasive process than I had ever imagined. If only more people in the UK knew that there is a method of donating bone marrow that is simple and pain free. I urge you please, please register to be a donor with The Anthony Nolan Trust.
I've recently met Joe who has been searching for a donor for over three years. He's a sunny and intelligent eight year old but is battling with leukaemia as I speak. One suitable donor could save his life. Imagine if it was your brother, mother, cousin or friend, and with just one step, you could save their life. Wouldn't you do it? Please contact The Anthony Nolan Trust and find out how simple it is to save a stranger's life."
Each year over 1,300 patients in the UK search for a suitable bone marrow donor but because individual genetic makeup is so varied the chances of finding a suitable donor are slim. Fewer than 30% of people needing bone marrow transplants find a match within their family, the rest depend on the generosity of strangers to provide life saving donations. Many searches for patients are unsuccessful – a bone marrow donor whose tissue type matches theirs could mean the difference between life and death.
Registering to be a donor with The Anthony Nolan Trust involves giving a small blood sample, which is tested to establish the tissue type and the results stored on the Charity’s database, which is of course confidential. As a new member of the register the donor receives a registration card and written confirmation of being a potential lifesaver. A donor may be found to be a match for a patient almost immediately or may wait many years before being asked to donate – and in some cases may never donate at all if there is no match.
