North-east man urges stem cell donation to save lives – Aberdeen Evening Express

An Aberdeen man who saved a life by donating his stem cells has urged others to do the same.

Paul Flecher-Herd, from Kingswells, signed up to the Anthony Nolan register in memory of his friend Cammy Smith, who passed away from leukaemia in 2014, aged just 26.

This year, Paul found he was a match with someone battling the same condition, and donated his cells during a procedure in London.

He has since heard from the recipient, thanking him for saving his life.

Now Paul, 28, has appealed for more people to join the register.

He said: I think having that first-hand experience makes it easier for people to come to me and ask what its like. A lot of people have said they wouldnt have thought of doing it because they either didnt know what it was for or because they were scared of the procedure.

But once I explained it to them, and how it can impact on the recipients life, they soon changed their mind.

Its four hours. Although there is medical prep before it, time like that is nothing if you get the result you could possibly get. You could save someones life, and if thats the case, it doesnt matter how long it takes.

Paul wants to put peoples minds at ease if they have any concerns over the procedure and he said the results of donating cells make it worthwhile.

He said: I would tell anyone to just go for it. You could save someones life and thats something you cant beat.

It may sound daunting but once you realise what the outcome may be you should definitely go for it and pass on the message to anyone.

It has potentially amazing consequences at the end of it. You could give someone a second chance at life.

This year Paul also launched a petition aimed at bringing in laws requiring employers to give staff time off to donate.

And although it was cancelled by the government as a result of dissolution of Parliament for the general election, he was thrilled with the response.

Paul added: With what we have done so far in terms of raising awareness, so many people have asked me about it.

A lot of employers have said they are keen to adapt their processes for the sake of the people who need these procedures.

They want to make sure they are not restricting their workers by not giving them time off. Its great to see the response its had.

There have been so many messages asking about it and Ive even been stopped in the street.

Its raised a lot of awareness about the issue of stem cell donation.

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North-east man urges stem cell donation to save lives - Aberdeen Evening Express