Have you given a spit? - Anthony Nolan stem cell donation

The interview that plays includes -
Tom Patrick - talks about NTUs own Zac
Sarah Roulstone - talks about the Anthony Nolan Charity
Josh Sharpe - talks about NTUs own Zac
And finally, Tony Mindham, who talks about his own stem cell transplant
 
Every 20 minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Three people are saved every single day through stem cell donations, so why haven't you registered?

"It all starts with spit, or a little bit of blood. And thanks to the generosity of our donors, the new mums, the great minds in our labs, and the selflessness of our supporters, it can end with someone’s life being saved" Anthony Nolan is a blood stem cell donation charity that saves lives every day.

Today at Nottingham Trent University, the Anthony Nolan volunteers took hundreds of our students (and tutors) spit in order to help find a match for not just NTUs Zac Forskitt but for anyone with blood cancer. Registering with Anthony Nolan means that you are eligible until the age of 60 to donate your stem cells. 

So many young people are discouraged from singing up to donate because they think its painful. It isn't painful in the slightest, you are literally spitting in a tube!

The campaign has attracted hundreds of students to the Clifton campus where #IGIVEASPIT took place today in light of our brave Zac who was diagnosed early September with a tumour on his chest and also diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia. Zac's friends, family and of course the NTU family have been donating to the cause ever since. In the first half an hour the JustGiving page soared upto £300 and now stands at almost £5000! You can donate here.
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/zac

I chatted to the inspirational Tony Mindham who has relapse lymphoma - a form of blood cancer. He was seriously ill to the point that he needed a stem cell transplant to survive. 

"Its a tremendous feeling that somebody that I don't know and doesn't know me is prepared to make the commitment to allow me to potentially have many years more of life" 

It is so so important that everyone registers to become a donor, not just for stem cells but for blood as well. You will never realize or fully appreciate the positive effects of someone donating their stem cells to someone with cancer, until it happens to you. 

Please join us in the #IGIVEASPIT campaign.

• You don't have to JUST donate your stem cells (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells)  to help the cause.  
• You can also save lives by raising money (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/raise-money) and awareness
• Take part in Anthony Nolan fund raising events (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/take-part-fundraising-event)
• By giving money (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/give-money)
  
•  Donating your umbilical cord (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-umbilical-cord-blood)
• campaign with Anthony Nolan (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/campaign-us)
• volunteer (http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/volunteer-us) and partner with Anthony Nolan!(http://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/partner-us)

https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/zac


You can register online and have a free test sent to you via post at https://www.anthonynolan.org/apply-join-bone-marrow-register

The following soundcloud link is

Tackling Anxiety - self help

Anxiety sucks. There's no two ways about it, it's awful. It attacks you physically and mentally causing panic attacks, shaking, feeling sick, headache, a crazy rapid heartbeat and the inability to get on with your day to day life. But how does anyone begin to tackle anxiety?

I am one of the most headstrong, stubborn and proudest girls I know.
I HATE asking for help and I HATE letting people know when I need support. 

Before I came to university I was a bright, bubbly, confident girl but over my first year I developed anxiety. It developed to a stage where I wouldn't go into university if I wasn't taken in, I wouldn't go anywhere by myself, I even stopped going into university on the days that my course seminar groups were mixed up. I became reliant on my everyday routine and it took a dramatic toll on my life, my behavior and my relationships with friends. I became a shell of myself and looking back, I don't know nor do I like the girl that I became which is one of the hardest things to accept.

I told myself over and over again that I was fine and that I didn't need to talk to anyone about how I was feeling. Trust me, BAD MOVE!

These are the steps I took to get me back to a stronger, bubblier, more confident self.

• Acknowledge that you don't feel good, or well in yourself. If you deny your thoughts and feelings, you're denying yourself of getting on and ENJOYING your life!
• Speak to someone you really trust, someone that will give you that constant support you need i.e. family!
• Identify the problem. Why are you anxious? Notice the time of day when you feel anxious, who is around you? Where are you? How can you solve this, whilst maintaining a normal, healthy routine?
• Set yourself goals! Start little and build yourself up. Keeping pushing and challenging yourself.
• Look into 'mindfulness', practice your breathing especially when you begin to feel anxious so that it doesn't take over your mind.
• Tackle the problem head on. Its scary and at times horrible, but why should you suffer? Why should your life be hindered? Don't forget that GP's can help too!
• Look into counseling. There are so many free helplines to call, these can be found on http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/mental-health-helplines.aspx
• Tell yourself that you are amazing. Tell yourself that you can do it because you are not defined by this illness and you are certainly not weak!
• And last but not least, don't let anyone walk over you, no matter who they are! No one deserves to be made to feel as if they are beneath anyone else.

  
Since dealing with anxiety I have learned so much about myself and continue to keep growing every day. My next goal is to smash my exams in a few weeks time and try to keep my stress levels to a minimum!

I realize this blog is quite long... And probably not for everyone (forgive me its my first time) but if I was to make just one positive impact on someone who is tackling anxiety that would be good enough for me! If you are suffering with anxiety, please remember that it does not define you, nothing but YOU can define you. 

Keep pushing, you're a lot stronger than you think!