Biomedical Sciences student Martin Solomon is battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma and needs a lifesaving transplant. Martin's family are urging people aged 16-30 to join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register and become potential lifesavers.

After being successfully treated for Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007, Martin spent 4 years cancer free, but found out he had relapsed in August this year. Doctors have now told his family that a bone marrow transplant is his only chance of survival. Despite a worldwide search, no match can be found.

Martin, 20, was about to enter the 3rd year of his Biomedical Science degree at Newcastle University before he received the news.

The chance of finding a match if you’re mixed race like Martin is just 40%, compared to 90% for white northern European patients. His family are therefore launching a Match4Martin campaign encouraging donors from mixed race and ethnic minority backgrounds to join the register.

Martin’s mum Paula is calling for "anyone who’s eligible to step forward and become potential lifesavers for the 1600 people in the UK who need a bone marrow transplant to live." She adds, “Martin is just 20 years old. 10 minutes out of your life could give him the rest of his.”

Join the register online today to help give patients like Martin the chance of life.

Follow Martin's campaign on twitter #Match4Martin

(Story and image courtesy of charity, Anthony Nolan)

published on: 16 November 2012