Sue Harris campaign expands stem cell donor testing nationwide
A charity set up in memory of a Jewish woman who died from myeloid leukaemia expands stem cell donor register testing in bid to reduce inequalities in health provision
A communal stem cell donor campaign that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year is offering its services to other minorities in the UK.
The Sue Harris Campaign, founded by the late Sue Harris and her friends in 1993, has played a major role in the worldwide effort to recruit Jewish stem cell donors. It is now delivering its annual Swab Week model to other minority ethnic communities across the country.
In a UK first, the Sue Harris Trust has assembled a coalition of organisations to hold a pioneering town-wide Swab Week from 23-27 January in Luton, where more than 150 languages and dialects are spoken and over half the town do not identify as white British.
Non-white blood cancer patients are at a major disadvantage as 70% of all registered stem cell donors are white, even though 88% of the world’s population isn’t.
A fortnight later, from 6-10 February, the Sue Harris Trust will hold a larger than usual Jewish Swab Week, for 16 year olds and over, in eleven schools in London and Manchester, as well as seven seminaries and yeshivot in Gateshead.
Natalie Deller, coordinator of the Sue Harris Trust, said: “Sue’s campaign has played a major role in improving the situation for Jewish patients with blood cancer and our annual Jewish Swab Week continues to help replenish the supply of vital Jewish stem cell donors.
“Now, with the Luton Swab Week, we’re proud to be delivering our recruitment model to help other ethnic minorities improve the situation for blood cancer patients in their communities.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
