NEW figures released by a cancer charity shows that Swindon is falling short of blood stem cell donors.

Just 9.28 per cent of donors in the region are from the Swindon area.

Although 2,454 people in the town have signed up to be potential donors, blood cancer charity DKMS is urging more people to go on standby and help save a life ahead of blood cancer awareness month this September.

Head of donor recruitment at DKMS Lisa Nugent said: “For a few minutes of your time now to sign up, you could save someone’s life in the future.

“If you’re living in Swindon and between 17 and 55 and in general good health, there’s no excuse not to, as it could make all the difference to someone in need of a donation.”

One man in need of a stem cell donation is 32-year-old father of two Vaughn Scott from Bristol, who up until recently led a fit and healthy lifestyle, taking part in sports and being in the Navy.

While on deployment across the world, Mr Scott was rushed back to the UK where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

This rare type of cancer attacks white blood cells, aggressively affecting the body and requires immediate treatment.

Mr Scott said: “My diagnosis was crushing, the first thing I thought of was my family. My children don’t deserve to grow up without a father.

“My partner has been amazingly supportive and she helps to keep me positive. There’s a lot of uncertainty as at the moment my life depends on the goodness and bravery of a complete stranger.

“I’m calling out on the people of the south west to please register with DKMS, you could be my only hope and anyone else’s in need of a matching donor.”

With someone being diagnosed with cancer every 20 minutes in the UK, blood cancers are now the third most common cause of cancer in the country.

While there is no single cure, a blood stem cell from a genetically similar person can help give someone in need of a transplant a second chance at life. To sign up to be up on a register of potential donors, a cheek swab is required.

This can be done at home with a swab kit sent to you in the post. If you are called upon as being genetically similar to a patient awaiting transplant, you will be asked to give a donation.

In most cases, blood is taken from one of the donor’s arms and a machine extracts the blood stem cells from it. The donor’s blood is then returned to them through their other arm.

To sign up, please visit www.dkms.org.uk.