CONTROVERSIAL best-selling novelist and former politician Lord Archer has added his support to Adrian Sudbury’s campaign to boost the number of bone marrow donors.
Examiner reporter Adrian, 26, is dying of leukaemia.
But he is using his remaining time to campaign for the Government to encourage young people to become bone marrow donors.
He wants 40-minute information sessions about bone marrow donations to be held in schools.
The Examiner started a petition on the Downing Street website last week in support of the proposal.
Author and former Conservative MP Lord Archer is among the more than 3,500 people to have signed the petition.
He said: “I received a letter telling me about Adrian’s campaign. It struck me that he deserved all the support he can get and I was delighted to support him.”
Lord Archer added: “I wasn’t aware there was a problem getting donors but, having looked into it, I’m concerned that we’re not teaching young people about bone marrow donation in the way the Germans do.
“It’s always annoying when we’re not doing something which another big European country is doing.”
Lord Archer has held auctions for the Leukaemia Research Trust charity.
He said: “I did one with Sir Ian Botham which raised £206,000, which was wonderful. I’ve been a close friend of Ian’s for years and I’ve done four or five auctions for him.”
To sign the petition visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/bone-marrow
Adrian has battled leukaemia for the last 18 months and underwent a bone marrow transplant as part of his fight against the disease.
But the procedure failed and Adrian has been given just weeks to live.
His high-profile campaign has included meetings with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Health Minister Alan Johnson and Education Secretary Ed Balls to lobby for action.
For more details on bone marrow donation visit www.anthonynolan. org.uk
