Magical Match

S2. Ep8. Lisa Gosnay - Part One - Aplastic Anaemia

In this episode, we hear from Lisa Gosnay, who at 29, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia.
Lisa is an amazing person and has an extraordinary story. In this two-parter, we hear about her initial diagnosis and treatment. We learn about her career struggles, having been very career-focused and her determination to keep going forward, despite the impact on her health; and her ultimate acceptance of her condition.
On this podcast, we usually focus on blood cancer, but this is about a blood disorder that can have a profound impact on an individual and as Lisa termed it, Aplastic Anaemia is known as the ugly sister to Leukaemia.
There is a stem cell transplant in this story, but we will hear more about that part of Lisa's experience in Part Two, coming soon.
As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this conversation inspires you, too.
Please share it far and wide!
Thank you for listening.

S2. E7. Mike Niles - Hard Graft

In this episode we hear from Mike Niles, Author of 'Hard Graft,' - an incredible book combining the history and science of stem cells and donation. At its heart is a story of love and a mother's determination to save her son.
You can purchase Hard Graft on Amazon.
As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this conversation inspires you, too.
Please share it far and wide!
Thank you for listening.

S2. Ep. 6. Andy Mitchell - @BluesVCancer Catch Up - Raising Awareness

In this episode we hear again from Andy Mitchell, who inspired this podcast's beginning back in February 2022.
We chatted about his own experience as a stem cell donor and inspiration behind the Blues V Cancer Campaign. We talked about the importance of stem cell donation and reflected on the last 19 months (this episode was recorded in September 2023).
Finally, we chatted about his upcoming Fundraising Event on 24 November to raise awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan and DKMS.
You can find @BluesvCancer on X / Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
You can find out more about Anthony Nolan here at www.anthonynolan.org and DKMS here at www.dkms.org.uk
It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to catch up with Andy and hear his enthusiasm and commitment to raising awareness for the need for stem cell donors.
If you have a moment, do connect with him on social media and follow @bluesvcancer for updates, appeals and important information. You can also find out more and sign up to become a stem cell donor with www.anthonynolan.org or www.dkms.org.uk 
 

S2.Ep5. Better to Be A Donor than a Patient

In this episode we hear from Jake and Nelson Andrade. Jake was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 13 years old and has undergone not one, but two stem cell transplants and has turned his experience into a book, 'My Leukaemia Fight.'
You can find out more about Jake and purchase his book here at www.jakeandrade.co.uk
As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this conversation inspires you, too.
Please share it far and wide!
Thank you for listening.

S2. Ep 4. Blind Hope and www.foreverfour.com.au

In this episode, we hear from Louise Stevens, a mum of three boys, who talks candidly and openly about the loss of her four year old son, Jack, to JMML and the charity she set up with her husband, Gary in his honour, to help bereaved families.
She also speaks about her campaigning for change in Australia to make it easier to join the stem cell register there and donate.
You can find out more about her work here at www.foreverfour.com.au and can sign up in Australia with www.strengthtogive.org.au 
As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this conversation inspires you, too.
Please share it far and wide!
Thank you for listening.
 

S2. 3. You Give The Patient Hope - Ellie Moss

In this episode we hear from Ellie Moss, Donor Recruitment Co-ordinator - Follow-up / Patient Donor Contact with DKMS.
We talked the huge impact that the extraordinary people who sign up to the stem cell register have on the people waiting for a stem cell transplant, the role she has within the organisation, the personal and emotional aspects of donating and all that happens after, when a donor and recipient meet.
It was a real privilege, as always, to speak with my guest and I'm grateful for Ellie's lively and informative, very human conversation around this topic.
DKMS began after Peter Harf's wife, Mechtild Harf was told the only treatment for her leukaemia was a bone marrow transplant. At the time, she had no matching family members.
On 28 May 1991, Peter founded DKMS with his wife’s transplant physician, Gerhard Ehninger. In their first year, they expanded the registry to 68,000 donors. After Mechtild sadly passed away, Peter and daughter, Katharina continued to be motivated by Mechtild and by 1995, they built DKMS into the world’s largest stem cell donor register.
DKMS celebrate 10 years in the UK this year and continue to work hard to raise awareness and bring more people to the stem cell register.
You can find out more about DKMS and signing up to the stem cell register at www.dkms.org.uk
 

S2. 2. More People, More Diversity, We’ll All Have a Match #GobForGood

In this episode, we hear from Pete McCleave who was diagnosed with myeloma in 2016. He talks candidly about his own diagnosis and his drive to find a donor and effect change for others.
We hear about his campaigns, 10,000 Donors and #GobForGood, the importance of a diverse stem cell register and the impact a cancer diagnosis has on the immediate family.
You can find out more about Pete his campaigns here at: 
https://www.10000donors.com/
and
https://gobforgood.com/
As always, it is a huge privilege to be able to speak with such inspirational guests on this podcast and I really do hope that this conversation inspires you, too.
Please share it far and wide!
Thank you for listening.
 

Season 2 - Ep 1 - Someone Amazing!

In this episode we hear from Caroline Richardson, Head of Fundraising and Georgina Brookes, Community & Events Fundraising Manager from DKMS.
We talked about the crucial role fundraisers play in the work of DKMS; and the stories of hope behind fundraisers' motivation.
It was a real privilege, as always, to speak with my guests and I'm grateful for their time and expertise.
DKMS began after Peter Harf's wife, Mechtild Harf was told the only treatment for her leukaemia was a bone marrow transplant. At the time, she had no matching family members.
On 28 May 1991, Peter founded DKMS with his wife’s transplant physician, Gerhard Ehninger. In their first year, they expanded the registry to 68,000 donors. After Mechtild sadly passed away, Peter and daughter, Katharina continued to be motivated by Mechtild and by 1995, they built DKMS into the world’s largest stem cell donor register.
DKMS celebrate 10 years in the UK this year and continue to work hard to raise awareness and bring more people to the stem cell register.
You can find out more about DKMS and signing up to the stem cell register at www.dkms.org.uk
 

8. I Was Always Going to Do It - Femi Ishola

In this episode, Femi Ishola takes us through his experience as a stem cell donor. Femi speaks with warmth and passion about donating earlier this year in 2022 and candidly about his desire to 'raise our game' for getting the message out there to all communities about the need for stem cell donors and bringing more people to the stem cell register.
We also discussed some of the myths and misunderstandings around stem cell donation and Femi encourages everyone to ask questions and get in touch with the charities who can help, ie www.anthonynolan.org, www.aclt.org, www.dkms.org.uk or www.bethematch.org.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
 
 
Magical Match Podcast is an Oh Beehive! Production, originally inspired by a conversation with Andy Mitchell and other like-minded individuals.
Hosted and produced by Ginny Walker with audio production by James Walker and music by Cobalt Ocean.

Ep7 - Inspiring Opportunities for All Communities

In this episode we hear from Charlotte Cunliffe, Head of Register Development with Anthony Nolan, Sabrina Jarrett, National Development Manager with the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and Krishna Gokani, Volunteer with the National Marrow Programme through Anthony Nolan.
Anthony Nolan is the charity that makes lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells.
Shirley Nolan founded the charity in 1974 and her son, Anthony's legacy has given hope and a second chance of life to thousands of blood cancer and blood disorder patients.
In 1999 Daniel De-Gale became the first black individual in the UK to receive a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor.
After Daniel passed away, his parents, Beverley De-Gale and Orin Lewis made a conscious decision to continue the work of ACLT, keeping Daniel’s legacy alive and saving many more lives in his name.
We talked about donor recruitment, the process and the ways people are recruited to the register and the important partnerships with ACLT and the Marrow Programme and how they work in educating and inspiring more people from all communities to sign up.
It was a real privilege, as always, to speak with people with so much knowledge around the topic of stem cell donation and I'm profoundly grateful for my guests' time and responses to the many questions put to them.
You can find out more about Anthony Nolan at www.anthonynolan.org
You can find out more about the Marrow Programme through Anthony Nolan via this link here: https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/volunteer-find-your-lifesaving-role/youth-volunteering/marrow
You can find out more about the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust here: www.aclt.org