Former Atomic Kitten pop star Liz McClarnon backs our drive for bone marrow donors

Nov 18 2009 by John Siddle, Formby Times

POP star Liz McClarnon has backed a drive to encourage bone marrow donation in memory of brave Sefton schoolgirl Ella Wright.

The former Atomic Kitten singer and Celebrity Masterchef winner last year hosted a clinic encouraging people to sign up to the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register in a bid to find a match for Ella and her brother, Sam.

After hearing of the eight-year old’s tragic death, Liz called on Formby Times readers to attend a donor registration session on December 18 to help Sam and the 16,000 people in the UK in need of a transplant.

She said: “In light of Ella's death I urge everyone to see if they are eligible to be bone marrow donors – it is so much simpler than it used to be.

“Please, please visit attend the donor drive or visit the Anthony Nolan Trust website and see how you can help.

“You could actually save a life. Remember, Sam is still waiting for a match.”

Liz led a recruitment drive in aid of Sam and Ella at our sister newspaper, the Liverpool ECHO, for Noel Edmonds’ show Noel’s HQ.

The 28-year-old was joined by Hollyoaks actor James Sutton in drumming up support for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Liz said: “So many people came along to be tested – including James and I – and many are still on the list, just like myself, waiting to see if there is anyone we match with.”

Brave Ella, from Birkdale, died last month from complications from the transplant which was set to save her life.

Doctors had to press ahead with a 90% match tissue donation after a fruitless three-year search for a perfect match.

Liz added: “I can only imagine her family’s pain right now.

“Hearing how she fought for so long must make them so proud of their little girl.”

The Times’ donor registration session will be held on Friday, December 18, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm at our Tulketh Street offices in Southport.

By giving just one small phial of saliva you will be listed on a world-wide database of people willing to donate their bone marrow.