Fife residents are being urged to sign up as potentially life-saving stem cell donors following Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
MSP Shirley-Ann Somerville attended a special event in honour of the 1026 people from Dunfermline and West Fife who are already signed up with Anthony Nolan.
The SNP member for Mid Scotland and Fife is calling for more people to get involved, particularly men aged 16 to 30 and people from ethnic minorities.
Miss Somerville met six-year-old Olly Walls from Dunfermline who has previously received a life-saving transplant at the reception in Holyrood last month.
The plucky youngster was diagnosed with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis when he was just three weeks old.
The disease, which attacks the immune system, meant Olly needed a stem cell transplant and a donor was found by the charity Anthony Nolan.
Miss Somerville said: “I am very proud that Dunfermline has 1026 people who have selflessly volunteered to give someone a second chance at life.
“Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.
“Hearing from Olly and his mum about their experience first-hand, it’s clear that stem cell donations have a life changing impact.
“I strongly hope that more people from our community will be inspired to sign up and show that together, we can provide a cure for blood cancer.”
Lochgelly youngster Ava Stark also received a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2016 and is preparing to celebrate her second anniversary.
While anyone on the register could be a match for someone with blood cancer, men aged 16 to 30 are the most likely to be asked to donate.
They provide more than 50% of donations but make up just 16% of the register.
There is also a shortage of donors from non-white and mixed-race backgrounds.
Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “Since 1974 thousands of caring, selfless people have joined the Anthony Nolan register and thousands of lives have been saved as a result.
“This Blood Cancer Awareness Month residents can be proud of all the lifesavers in your community.
“It’s wonderful to have the support of Dunfermline in achieving our goal of saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.”
For more information about the Community vs Blood Cancer campaign visit www.anthonynolan.org/communities
