A CHARITY this week emphasised its need for bone marrow donors at a mobile clinic in a Golders Green school.

The Anthony Nolan Trust held the recruitment event at King Alfred School, in North End Road to encourage people aged 18-40 to sign up to their donor register to help with the treatment of leukaemia patients.

It is hoped similar clinics, which are held across London with the help of volunteers, will find bone marrow for the 16,000 people who are looking for matches across the world.

Lynsey Dickson, donor recruitment manager at the Trust, which is one of the largest independent registers of potential blood stem cell donors in the world, said it is crucial for people to come forward and donate.

“There is a desperate need for donors,” she said.

“Even with 12 million donors worldwide, we still can't find a match for some people. Someone out there not registered could be the match that helps save a life.

“People only donate if there is a match and a need, so you know any time you do it, you know you are giving someone a real chance of life.”

She also said there is a lot of misinformation around the donation process, claiming many people believe it is a painful experience which puts them off.

Ms Dickson said: “It is nothing extreme. Most people who have been through the process compare it to being slightly winded.

“But the short term discomfort is nothing compared to what the patient is going through.

“We want people to take action now, not when they are in a desperate situation looking for a donor.

“If the community is called to action through clinics like this and register, then many more lives could be saved.”

The event, which took place on Tuesday evening, collected blood samples from those who turned up as well as raising money and the profile of the Trust.

Former pupil at the school, David Kovar, 25, organised the clinic, and said raising awareness amongst the groups who are able to donate was vitally important.

“These sorts of clinics are where we get most people signed up and aware of our work,” said the volunteer for the Trust, who became involved after his friend was diagnosed with leukaemia.

“It's fantastic to do this in a school and involve the sixth form to make them aware and interested in bone marrow donation.

“The fact they will grow up with an awareness of the process is a success in itself. They are a large group who would not have exposure to it otherwise.”

To find out more about how to sign up to the bone marrow register call 020 7284 1234 or visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk.