News

Medical students win top fundraising award

(20 November 2003)

Medical students from the University of Durham have picked up a top award for their outstanding fundraising initiatives for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Durham Marrow were chosen out of the 25 Medical Schools in the UK which boast successful marrow groups for their innovative fundraising initiatives which included a Full Monty competition between first and second year medical students based at the University's Queens Campus in Stockton.

The students raised over £1,700 during their launch year and representatives recently attended the National Marrow AGM in Birmingham to pick up their award, share good practice and plan their campaign for this year.

Durham Marrow Co-ordinator Jennifer Scaife said:” It’s great to be recognised for our efforts and we are now preparing for an even bigger and better Full Monty night which will take place next month. We are also busy training medical students to run our first donor registration clinic which will be up and running in the new year”.

Marrow groups operate in universities across the UK with the aim of offering every student the chance to join the stem cell register. The more people on the Register, the more likely it is that a suitable match can be found for everyone who needs a transplant. Those eligible to join the register must be between 18 and 40, in good health and weigh over 8st. Pregnant women or those with a child under 12 months cannot join. Volunteers will be asked to complete a form, give a simple blood sample and to make the commitment that if the time came, they would give their bone marrow to save a life.

Anyone interested in supporting Durham Marrow by donating raffle prizes or providing sponsorship for the second Full Monty competition to be held on 12 December are asked to contact Durham Marrow Co-ordinator Jennifer Scaife on 07812-525556 or e-mail Jennifer.scaife@durham.ac.uk.

Media Enquiries

Jan Cawood, Public Relations, University of Durham, 0191-334-0018