Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has announced a successful return of its partnership with Anthony Nolan, which was first launched in 2008. The latest drive has resulted in a record number of sign-ups to the blood cancer charity’s stem cell register. The partnership saw 179 secondary school pupils joining the register at two events held at Biggar High School in South Lanarkshire and Edinburgh Academy.

Biggar High School reported 71 pupils joining the register, while Edinburgh Academy had 108, which was the largest number of sign-ups for both schools. The number of sign-ups from Edinburgh Academy doubled compared to their previous record. Four matches have been reported by Biggar High School, where people donated their stem cells and helped to save lives.

The partnership started in 2009, after then Area Commander Ally Boyle was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia, a blood cancer for which the only potential cure is a stem cell transplant. Since then, over 19,000 potential donors have been recruited to the register, and 100 of those have gone on to donate stem cells.

Due to Covid-19, all school engagement events were paused, but the SFRS partnership with Anthony Nolan continued to make an impact during the pandemic. The partnership saw 34 people donating their stem cells during the pandemic, giving hope to those who needed it.

Anthony Nolan recruits people aged 16-30 to the stem cell register as research has shown younger people are more likely to be chosen to donate. SFRS said it is is proud to be a part of this life-saving partnership and is committed to continuing its efforts to make a difference in the fight against blood cancer.

Ally Boyle, founder of the SFRS and Anthony Nolan partnership, said: “Our partnership with Anthony Nolan is a magnificent example of what can be achieved when working together to save lives. The strap-line for the partnership is ‘Working together, saving lives’ and that is exactly what we have done. We are very proud of the partnership.”

Origins of the Partnership

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has formed a partnership with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to encourage stem cell donations in Scotland. The partnership began in 2009, after Area Commander Ally Boyle of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue was diagnosed with a blood disorder and recognised the potential for the SFRS to work with Anthony Nolan.

Most of the partnership activity takes place in schools across Scotland, with tens of thousands of young people educated about stem cell donation. The partnership has recruited more than 19,000 potential donors to the stem cell register, with 100 of those going on to donate stem cells. The partnership also holds events for firefighters and the public to encourage more people to join the register.

Present Day Partnership

The partnership is still going strong 12 years later, with Boyle retired and Andy Watt now serving as Chair of the partnership.

Most of the partnership’s activities now take place in schools across Scotland, where tens of thousands of young people have been educated about stem cell donation.

The Benefits of Partnership

The SFRS partnership has allowed for increased ability to save lives and has brought huge benefits to the organization.

The partnership is truly life-saving, and those involved couldn’t be more proud.

How to Get Involved

If you’re aged 31 or older and haven’t yet signed up to the stem cell register, you can do so on the Anthony Nolan website.

If you’ve already signed up or want to support Anthony Nolan further, there are many ways to get involved with their lifesaving work.

More information can be found at www.anthonynolan.org/sfrs