Anfield set for life-saving event
Anfield will today host an event, backed to the hilt by Liverpool staff and players, which aims to 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, 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 announced their support for the event after the goalkeeper tragically lost his son Luca to Leukaemia in November 2011.
They were swiftly followed by Lucas Leiva, Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly, Joe Allen, Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates.
Earlier this week, Brendan Rodgers offered his full support to the campaign to recruit donors.
The Liverpool FC Foundation are also involved and the club's Youth Ambassadors will be on hand at the Reds Lounge in the Centenary Stand on Monday from 3pm to 7pm on the day.
"You could be the one that makes the difference," Jones told Liverpoolfc.com. "We've had other events like this and people have gone on to become donors and save lives.
"If you come along and continue with the process, you'll live the rest of your life knowing that you've been another person's saviour. You've given them a second chance at life and I can't really imagine a better feeling to be honest."
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 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.