Firefighter urges others to donate their stem cells

An Oban firefighter is urging others to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register after he donated stem cells to help save a life.

Craig MacDougall signed up in 2012 at a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service event, which has a partnership with the charity.

The 27-year-old works as a firefighter at Oban Airport and has been a retained firefighter in Oban since 2011.

Craig received an email in December revealing he was a match and after having blood taken and heading to London for a medical, preparation for the operation began.

Writing on social media, the firefighter said: ‘I’ve just donated stem cells via Anthony Nolan – a remarkable charity that helps those with leukaemia and other blood disorders when they need it most. Knowing you have possibly given someone a second chance at life is an amazing feeling.’

He had to receive four injections beforehand, which were administered by nurses who travelled to Oban from Glasgow.

The operation took place on December 30 in London, which involved the stem cells being extracted from four pints of blood, which was then cycled back into his body.

‘I could not move for five hours,’ he told The Oban

‘I thought it would be painful but it was more uncomfortable’

Times. ‘I thought it was going to be painful, but it was more uncomfortable.’

He added: ‘It was absolutely worth it. The chances of being a donor are slim, but it is what I signed up for. The feeling of helping someone outweighs the negativity of the opportunity and the operation is not even that bad. At the end of the day, you are potentially saving a life.’

He thanked his employers, the nurses who travelled from Glasgow, the staff at the London clinic, and his partner, Louise MacLeod, who went as far as feeding him soup and ice cream when he could not move.

Craig now plans to set up a recruitment drive to encourage others to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register, the details of which are still to be confirmed.

Amy Bartlett, regional register development manager for Scotland at Anthony Nolan, said: ‘We are delighted Craig has donated his stem cells to someone in desperate need of a transplant. Donating stem cells is an entirely selfless act that will give someone with blood cancer a second chance of life.

‘Every person who joins the Anthony Nolan stem cell register has the potential to save a life.

We’re particularly calling on young men like Craig aged 16 to 30 to consider joining the register, as they are more likely to be chosen to donate.’

To sign up for the register or to find out more, visit www.anthonynolan.org