Hannah at Blackpool Business First donates stem cells to help save a life

Hannah Eastham, centre manager at Blackpool Business First, has generously given to a really important cause, which has had a wonderful impact on a little boy’s life. She signed up with Anthony Nolan, which is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. 

Alongside working for Business First Hannah is also a make up artist. About four years ago, one of her regular clients was unfortunately diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, and needed a stem cell transplant quickly. Hannah applied for the list hoping to help her, but unfortunately found she wasn’t a match. The lady did later find a match and is now cancer free, which is a great outcome. Almost four years later, Anthony Nolan called Hannah to explain she was a match for someone, and asked if she would be interested in donating for them – Hannah said yes straight away!  

The procedure involves medical screening in London, with no cost to the donor, expenses are also paid for. Full health checks which include taking bloods, Covid tests and ECGs are undertaken, as Anthony Nolan want to make sure the donor is fully healthy before the donation procedure; they have the donors’ best interests at heart too. 

Hannah was asked to donate from her bone marrow which involves two big needles through each side of the pelvis. This is done under anaesthetic, so she didn’t feel a thing. 

Hannah said: “The recovery was OK, the pain wasn’t too bad and they give you really good pain killers, just fatigue for a couple of weeks but nothing I couldn’t handle. I’ve since been informed my recipient was a little boy who’s only a young child and he isn’t from the UK, there is a worldwide register. I’m so proud to have done this - if there is one thing you can do in your life it’s to help save another life, surely!” 

Toby Whittaker of Business First added, “I’m sure the boy’s family are so grateful to Hannah for giving him a fighting chance against his illness, and we’re all really proud of her here at Business First for doing such a wonderful thing. It takes a special kind of person to do something so selfless.”

To find out more about Anthony Nolan or to donate, click here  or check on their website www.anthonynolan.org

Hannah works at the Blackpool branch of Business First, you can see more about it on www.businessfirst.co.uk