Lucas and Jones support donor push
Liverpool FC and its players are backing a campaign to help recruit donors who could potentially save the lives of people suffering with blood cancer.
In partnership with Anthony Nolan, the UK's leading blood cancer charity, Anfield will host an event on Monday, March 25.
During the day, volunteers will be invited to give a small saliva sample and join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register.
Brad Jones and his partner Dani Lawrence are supporting the event after the goalkeeper tragically lost his son Luca to Leukaemia in November 2011.
Lucas Leiva and the Liverpool FC Foundation are also behind the campaign to recruit donors and the club's Youth Ambassadors will be on hand at the Reds Lounge in the Centenary Stand from 3pm to 7pm on the day.
"We are delighted that LFC is backing this event to help raise awareness of blood cancer," said Dani, who is an ambassador of the Anthony Nolan Charity.
"Luca was a happy and healthy four-year-old boy when he got diagnosed with Leukaemia. You never think it will happen to your family but, if it does, you hope there are enough people who have become potential donors to give your loved one another chance at life.
"We particularly need young men aged 16-30 to sign up as they account for 80 per cent of bone marrow donations, yet make up just 12 per cent of our register."
Mark Haig, LFC Foundation's head of operations, said: "Our Foundation is dedicated to improving people's lives through the power of the LFC badge.
"Cancer is a major public health issue on Merseyside. Working closely with Liverpool NHS and Cancer Research UK the Foundation promotes cancer awareness and healthier lifestyles as part of all its programmes.
"In supporting Anthony Nolan it gives our community the chance to help others. We urge as many people to come down to Anfield and take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in combating cancer."
The charity has nearly 470,000 people on the register but can still only provide a suitable donor to around half of the people in need.
If you would like to join the register but are unable to make the event, then you can sign up online at www.anthonynolan.org/spit.