Super Marrowman, Micah Stanbridge, from Edinburgh will cycle from the West to East Coast of America to raise money for Anthony Nolan, the charity that saved his mother’s life. Micah, 35, will cycle over 4,000 miles across America, in a bid to raise over £15,000 for Anthony Nolan, after the charity found a lifesaving stem cell donor for his mum in 2006.
Sheena McCurrach, an artist, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 1998. After eight years of chemotherapy, she was given four months to live and told that she urgently required new stem cells from a stranger to rebuild her immune system, so she could fight infection and disease.
Anthony Nolan was able to find a stem cell donor with 10 matching genes that would help ensure that Sheena’s body would accept the donor’s cells.
In 2006, Sheena received her lifesaving transplant and in 2011, she was able to meet her lifesaving donor, Mark Quinn, and say thank you for saving her life.
Following the recovery of his mother, Micah sadly lost a close friend in 2012 to blood cancer. Tom died at the age of 30 having been unable to find a matching stem cell donor to fight his leukaemia.
Micah, an Edinburgh-based photographer, admits that he hadn’t heard of Anthony Nolan before his mum’s diagnosis, and it was only when he knew she needed a stem cell transplant that he realised how precarious her situation was.
‘I will always feel a sense of debt towards Anthony Nolan for saving my mum’s life. Seeing her battle through the physical and emotional pain of fighting cancer, a stem cell transplant, and then remission, is a something I will never forget’.
‘Tom’s loss, after my mum’s survival, was extremely difficult to take. It was perhaps instrumental in my forming a deep association with Anthony Nolan’
For his latest challenge, Micah will set off from Astoria, Oregon on the 2nd September, and cycle unsupported 4228 miles across America, finishing in Yorktown, Virginia just over a month later.
When speaking about his mother, he said: ‘It is an incredible testament to her inner strength and resolve that she survived through the sickness and uncertainty and is not only still with us but thriving and enjoying life today.
‘I offer my support to Anthony Nolan through fundraising and awareness in the hope that one day, every life with a blood disorder can be saved.”
Kirsty Mooney, Head of Community and Events at Anthony Nolan, said: ‘We are so amazed by Micah’s incredible challenge and his commitment to raising money and awareness for Anthony Nolan – and we’ll be cheering him on every pedal of his journey.
‘Every pound that Micah raises will help us ensure that people in desperate need, like Sheena, are able to have that potentially lifesaving transplant from a stranger.’
To support Micah on his lifesaving cycle, you can donate at:
https://www.justgiving.com/supermarrowman or search ‘supermarrowman’ on Facebook or Twitter to follow his journey.
You can also sign up for his newsletter by emailingsupermarrowman@gmail.com.
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