Football fans urged to become potential lifesavers

Fans attending the Southend United vs Braintree Town match will have the opportunity to join a stem cell donor register

Football fans attending a match later will be urged to sign up to become potential lifesavers.

Blood cancer charity DKMS will be holding a stem cell donor registration drive at its Southend United's National League home match against Braintree Town, which at least 8,000 people are expected to attend.

The collaboration was inspired by stem cell donor and lifelong Shrimpers fan Richard Lloyd, 47, from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

He said knowing he could have saved a life "brought a tear to my eye."

Richard Lloyd is looking forward to finding out more about the recipient of his stem cells

Each year, nearly 15,000 people in the UK die from blood cancer, the third most common cause of death in the country.

About 2,000 people in the UK needed a stem cell transplant at any one time, said a spokesperson from DMKS.

The charity has registered more than 12.5 million potential donors worldwide, but minorities are under-represented.

Mr Lloyd joined the register after people close to him were diagnosed with blood cancer.

After six years, his stem cells were matched with a man in his 50s in the United States.

He said he spent about a day in London for the donation procedure, adding: "The day I walked out of hospital, I walked out with a bounce because I could potentially save somebody's life."

Due to strict anonymity rules, he knows little about the recipient, but expects to find out the outcome of the transplant in about nine months.

People aged 18-55 in general good health will be able to sign up by having their mouths swabbed at the ground.

Debra Hyde, from DKMS, said: "I think it is so amazing when people get bad news in their lives and think about how to help others.

"When you're donating, you are donating to a complete stranger. You have no idea what their politics, beliefs or background are."

Dale Spiby, chief executive of Southend United Community Foundation, said: "It's why we exist as a community foundation, because we can use football for good."