Unfortunately, Matt's leukaemia has returned. This time, Matt's best chance to help him overcome the illness is a bone marrow transplant, combined with more chemotherapy.

Matt is a fantastic, vivacious, talented and caring young person, who is much loved and respected by his friends at school and at his rugby club, ONs. It is crucial to find a donor whose bone marrow is a suitable match to Matt's.

We're appealing to you and your friends and family to become a potential donor. Only a small saliva sample is needed, after completing a medical questionnaire  - it really couldn't be easier! Similarly, should you prove to be a suitable match, bone marrow donation is also straightforward. Here's an example:

Shortly after attending a Recruitment Clinic I discovered I was a potential match for patient with leukaemia. I donated my stem cells through PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell donation) which involved taking excess white blood cells from my blood whilst I was attached to a machine - and watching TV and drinking coffee. It was totally painless. The Anthony Nolan Trust arranged for me to say in a hotel the night before the donation and monitored my health in detail afterwards. It was as easy as giving blood but without the queuing! Four and a half years on, the recipient is still alive because of the stem cell donation. I have experienced how being a donor volunteer is literally the first step towards giving someone the gift of life"

- Gary Hammerlsey , Northampton

Leukaemia can affect any one of us and any time of life. The more potential donors the Anthony Nolan Trust has on its register, the better chance of finding a match for someone who needs a transplant.

Please consider giving up a little of your time to attend one of the clinics around town.

And the exciting news is that you can do this whilst watching Saints. Saturday 5th Dec at the Bath match, there will a Recruitment Clinic at Franklins Gardens in the Study Centre. Remember, it is so easy - just a small saliva sample.

To become a donor volunteer and join the Anthony Nolan Trust register, you must be:

-       aged between 18 and 40

-       in good health

-       weigh over 8 stone / 51kg

-       willing to commit to provide bone marrow donation to any patient worldwide who is a suitable match.

If you can't make this match, there are other clinics:

-       Old Northamptonians Association, Billing Road on Thursday        26^th November at 5-30pm to 9-30pm

-       Northampton School for Boys, Billing Road, Saturday 5^th December 9-00am to 1-00pm

Please take a look at www.mattsmatch.co.uk  to see up to date information on Recruitment Clinics, to see pictures of Matt with Saints players and to send a message of support to Matt.

For further information: The Anthony Nolan Trust www.anthonynolan.org.uk

Thanks for reading this. For those who choose to respond and go the clinic Saturday, we are truly indebted.

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