'How I saved a stranger's life across the Atlantic with a simple stem cell sign-up'
A Leeds man has helped save a stranger’s life across the Atlantic - all thanks to a student form sign-up that he’d almost forgotten about.
Matt Wilkinson, 24, joined the stem cell registers as a student in 2019 when blood cancer charity DKMS visited his Halls of Residence.
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But six years later the University of Leeds events team worker and former competitive swimmer received a phone call out of the blue that would help to give the gift of life to a stranger.
He’d clocked up as a match for his stem cells and within weeks he was on his way to Manchester to donate blood platelets.
Little did he realise but his precious donation swiftly boarded a plane across the Atlantic to help a woman, who lives in America.
While there are strict rules protecting the anonymity of the patient, who is aged between 50 and 70, Matt would love the opportunity to meet her if he could.
He said: “I was very happy to sign up, they mentioned that young men often make the best stem cell donors, but are the least likely to join the register, so I thought it was important.
“The whole thing was a bit of a shock, especially as it all moved very quickly once I was matched with the patient.
“I didn’t really have any reservations. I know I’m lucky to be fit and healthy, so I was just glad that I was able to help someone.
“I would definitely like to meet her, if possible. It would be a few years down the line, but I’d jump at the chance.
“She could be a similar age to my parents, so I had been thinking about how I’d want someone to donate if my mum was in that position.”
And now he is urging more people to join the stem cell donor registry. It comes as the charity warns at any one time there are around 2,000 people in the UK in need of a stem cell transplant
Matt added: “I’ve been telling as many people as I can, but more people should know how important it is to sign up, and how easy it is.
“It’s especially important for more guys my age to get registered. I’d 100 per cent do it again”.
DKMS spokesperson Bronagh Hughes added: “Matt has done something truly amazing.
“Patients all over the world are waiting for their match, so signing up means that, like Matt, you could be the person to give someone a second chance at life.
“Joining the stem cell register is really easy, it just involves a few cheek swabs and a few health questions.”
Anyone aged 17-55 and in general good health can sign up with a few simple mouth swabs. To find out more, and order your swab kit, visit dkms.org.uk.