Cobblers fan's urgent search for donor gets support at Northampton Town's FA Cup match

Emily Rootes is in urgent need of a donor and to help, the Cobblers are hosting an Anthony Nolan clinic at the Harrow Borough FA Cup game at Sixfelds on Saturday.

If supporters want to join the Anthony Nolan register, and to see if they are a match for Emily, they should come to the Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite at Sixfields anytime between noon and 3pm on Saturday.

A spokesman for the club said: "Anyone between the ages of 16 and 30 can join the register.

"When you arrive, you will be required to fill out an application form, then spit in a tube - that is enough to put you on the register. Please do not eat or drink for 20 minutes before the test.

"You will remain on the register until you are 60," he added.

Whenever a patient with blood cancer or a blood disorder needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant, Anthony Nolan search the register, looking for someone who is a genetic match for that patient.

The spokesman added: "There is about a one in 900 chance you will be a match in the next five years, but by being on the register you are giving people as much a better chance of finding a match.

"Nine out of 10 people donate their stem cells in a quick and easy process similar to giving blood, called peripheral blood stem cell collection.

"One in 10 donors will have their stem cells collected via the bone marrow itself, while under general anaesthetic," he said.

"Many people ask if it hurts to donate bone marrow or stem cells? The short answer is no. Anthony Nolan have spoken to countless donors who only have positive things to say about the experience," the spokesman said.

More information can be found at www.anthonynolan.org

Volunteers are also needed on the day, to talk to those signing up on the register. If you would like to be a volunteer, report to the Grosvenor Casino 1897 Suite at 11.45am for a short, informal briefing.