Magical Match

In this episode I chatted with Lesley Calder, a DKMS volunteer involved with the Hertfordshire and Essex Volunteer Hub, her sister, Ann Hargreaves and Lesley’s son, Max Calder. We discussed Lesley’s experience with her diagnosis of Leukaemia, the luck of finding not one, but two potential matches in her family, Ann’s experience of donating her stem cells to Lesley and Max’s experience of donating...

In this episode I chatted with Sarah Rogers, Head of Patient Involvement and Liam Rooney, Patient and Families Manager from Anthony Nolan. We had a lively and meaningful conversation around two amazing events for families that Team Anthony Nolan participate in; Family Camp which happens each year, in partnership with Over the Wall and the Transplant Games for people who have either experienced an...

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and in this episode, I chatted with Donor Recruitment Development Officer, Melissa Harvey from ACLT – The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust. Melissa explained about her role within the organisation and talked through what Sickle Cell disorder is and how it affects those diagnosed with what has become the fastest growing inherited genetic condition in the UK...

In this episode I chatted with Donor Recruitment Manager and Lead Organiser of The Big Cheekender, Natasha Reid and PR and Media Officer, Bronagh Hughes from DKMS. We talked about their roles within the charity and their big event coming up on 27 and 28 September, the Big Cheekender! We also chatted more generally about Blood Cancer Awareness Month, their current campaign ‘Listen To Your Aunties’...

In this episode I spoke with Andrew Foster about the stem cell journey and subsequent loss of his son, Rycroft at sixteen months, who had a rare inherited condition, called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. At the time we recorded this, it was only nine months after Rycroft had died and as you might imagine, it’s an emotional and heartfelt discussion. Andrew is a passionate campaigner for change and we...

In this episode, recorded at the end of last year, I chatted with Liam Rooney, Patient and Families Manager and Car T Cell Therapy Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emily John, both from Anthony Nolan. We discussed the important roles they play within Anthony Nolan and the important work AN does with and for families in providing support, not just for the patient, but also the families and friends who ar...

In this episode I spoke with Charis Ober - Executive Director and Founder of the Save the Cord Foundation based in Tucson, Arizona. We chatted about the history of the Foundation, the importance of cord blood and all the possibilities for saving a life, including through regenerative medicine and stem cell transplants. We also heard about the brand new educational programme, Cord Blood in the Clas...

In this episode, I chatted with Yaser Martini, Founder of the Team Margot Foundation. Yaser’s daughter, Margot was just a few months old, when she was diagnosed with blood cancer and needed a stem cell transplant. Due to her mixed heritage, opportunities to find a donor match were slim, so Team Margot was set up and focused on blood, stem cell and organ donation for nine years, raising thousands o...

In this episode, I chatted with Beverley de Gale and Orin Lewis, parents of Daniel de Gale, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of six, back in 1993 and was the first black individual in the UK to receive a stem cell transplant six years later. We talked about Daniel’s story and the difficulties they faced as a family in finding him a donor match and we chatted about th...

In this episode, I talked with Martine Schuit van Reissen again, from the World Marrow Donor Association, based in the Netherlands. I also spoke with Dr Warren Fingrut, Haematologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Jeff and Susan Haertling from Marrow Mates in Florida. Jeff is a don...

In this episode, I spoke with Martine Schuit van Reissen and Rhian Voskamp from the World Marrow Donor Association. We chatted about everything from the importance of education, the awareness around the need and use of cord blood in stem cell donation and reaching as many people as possible around the globe to help them understand the importance of stem cell donation. The World Marrow Donor Associ...

In this episode, the second part of our two parter, we continue the conversation with Lisa Gosnay. In part two, we hear about her struggles with career progression, her subsequent health issues which led to her relapse and her stem cell transplant. Lisa has a blog on Instagram which you can follow here: https://www.instagram.com/my_plan_c/# .  As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak...

In this episode, we hear from Lisa Gosnay, who at 29, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia. Lisa is an amazing person and has an extraordinary story. In this two-parter, we hear about her initial diagnosis and treatment. We learn about her career struggles, having been very career-focused and her determination to keep going forward, despite the impact on her health; and her ultimate acceptance of h...

In this episode we hear from Mike Niles, Author of 'Hard Graft,' - an incredible book combining the history and science of stem cells and donation. At its heart is a story of love and a mother's determination to save her son. You can purchase Hard Graft on Amazon . As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this co...

In this episode we hear again from Andy Mitchell, who inspired this podcast's beginning back in February 2022. We chatted about his own experience as a stem cell donor and inspiration behind the Blues V Cancer Campaign. We talked about the importance of stem cell donation and reflected on the last 19 months (this episode was recorded in September 2023). Finally, we chatted about his upcoming Fundr...

In this episode we hear from Jake and Nelson Andrade. Jake was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 13 years old and has undergone not one, but two stem cell transplants and has turned his experience into a book, 'My Leukaemia Fight.' You can find out more about Jake and purchase his book here at www.jakeandrade.co.uk As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirati...

In this episode, we hear from Louise Stevens, a mum of three boys, who talks candidly and openly about the loss of her four year old son, Jack, to JMML and the charity she set up with her husband, Gary in his honour, to help bereaved families. She also speaks about her campaigning for change in Australia to make it easier to join the stem cell register there and donate. You can find out more about...

In this episode we hear from Ellie Moss, Donor Recruitment Co-ordinator - Follow-up / Patient Donor Contact with DKMS. We talked the huge impact that the extraordinary people who sign up to the stem cell register have on the people waiting for a stem cell transplant, the role she has within the organisation, the personal and emotional aspects of donating and all that happens after, when a donor an...

In this episode, we hear from Pete McCleave who was diagnosed with myeloma in 2016. He talks candidly about his own diagnosis and his drive to find a donor and effect change for others. We hear about his campaigns, 10,000 Donors and #GobForGood, the importance of a diverse stem cell register and the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the immediate family. You can find out more about Pete his campaig...

In this episode we hear from Caroline Richardson, Head of Fundraising and Georgina Brookes, Community & Events Fundraising Manager from DKMS. We talked about the crucial role fundraisers play in the work of DKMS; and the stories of hope behind fundraisers' motivation. It was a real privilege, as always, to speak with my guests and I'm grateful for their time and expertise. DKMS began after Peter H...

In this episode, Femi Ishola takes us through his experience as a stem cell donor. Femi speaks with warmth and passion about donating earlier this year in 2022 and candidly about his desire to 'raise our game' for getting the message out there to all communities about the need for stem cell donors and bringing more people to the stem cell register. We also discussed some of the myths and misunders...

In this episode we hear from Charlotte Cunliffe, Head of Register Development with Anthony Nolan, Sabrina Jarrett, National Development Manager with the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and Krishna Gokani, Volunteer with the National Marrow Programme through Anthony Nolan. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to don...

In this episode we hear from Anthony Nolan Healthcare Professionals, Rachel Miller - Lead Nurse with Anthony Nolan, based in the London offices, Kelly Statham-Gill, Clinical Nurse Specialist based at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Dr Jenna Love - Clinical Psychologist based at St George's Hospital, London. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and i...

In this episode we hear from Henny Braund MBE and CEO of Anthony Nolan. Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. Shirley Nolan founded the charity in 1974 and her son, Anthony's legacy has given hope and a second chance of life to thousands of blood cancer and blood disorder patients. We talke...

In this episode, Maggie Marshall takes us through her experience as a donor to not one, but two recipients in recent years. Maggie enthuses about the benefits of stem cell donation and talks about donating through peripheral stem cell collection and also bone marrow removal and the positive impact being a donor has had on her life, personally.     Magical Match Podcast is an Oh Beehive! Production...