I remember listening to a passionate speech made by Orin Lewis; his obviously relentless enthusiasm got my full attention. We then watched a clip showing Daniel and his family meeting his Donor. It was wonderful. I struggled to keep the tears at bay. My family has always been great believers in giving back to the world and giving thanks for our lives. We believe tithing is not just about financial contribution but about the gift of time, skills and aid.
ACLT is about the “gift of life" so I was very interested. I am a multinational with a family who could represent the United Nations. The thought of one of them having to face such alarming odds to live made me determined to become a donor. What a revelation to know that you don't need to have any special skills or qualifications to save someone else's life, just a small contribution that can be made back up by eating ice cream :-)
So I rushed an email out to Bev de Gale as soon as possible and was really distressed to find out that I could not be a donor on the Anthony Nolan Trust register. I then started a small monthly contribution which did not satisfy my need to be a part of this great cause. After speaking to Bev and Orin on a few more occasions I became a volunteer or more importantly a part of the ACLT family. At one of the drives I was helping with, I found out that I could be a donor through the National Blood Service bone marrow register (British Bone Marrow Register). Now I was really on a high.
Since then, I have continued to meet some beautiful people, felt loved and supported and thoroughly enjoyed working towards this great cause with so much support and encouragement from the rest of the group.
Who says you can't choose your family? I have and I'm lovin' it!
Best wishes
Caroline Neita
Would you like to step forward as an ACLT volunteer?
If so please contact us on telephone number 020 8240 4480
or e-mail us on: info@aclt.org. Thank You.
