The three Leicestershire universities have joined forces to try and recruit more potentially lifesaving stem cell donors, with the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign aiming to set a new record of people signing up to the register.
The University of Leicester, De Montfort University and Loughborough University have joined together to create Leicestershire Unites, in partnership with the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign.
Each university is required to host a ‘recruitment drive’ to get more people signed up to the UK’s stem cell donor register, in the hope it will potentially find lifesaving matches for people suffering with the disease.
Sixth form colleges in Leicestershire are also a part of the new campaign with the total of new donors to be added up at the end of this year as organisers hope to set a new record for the number of people on the register and make Leicestershire the stem cell capital of the UK.
Signing up to the register requires a cheek swab sample and details which normally takes less than 10 minutes.
Rik Basra from the Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign, said:
“We want everyone to know just how simple and straightforward it is to sign-up and potentially save a life.
“Working together with our partners we intend to push local awareness and understanding to unprecedented levels, which we hope will in-turn boost registration numbers to record levels, we’re very excited!”
De Montfort Student Union president, Ahtesham Mahmood, added:
“As a Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science graduate myself, stem cell research is a cause close to my heart, and being one of the team leaders last time we broke the record for donors, I can’t wait to continue that great work at DMU.”
The campaign has been backed by Leicester Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby as well as Leicestershire Police’s Chief Constable Simon Cole.
The first event of the campaign will take place tomorrow at De Montfort University.
