Saving lives, one swab at a time: Sheffield Marrow’s ‘Swabathon’

For thousands battling blood cancer and rare blood disorders, finding a life-saving match is a race against time. Anthony Nolan, the UK’s stem cell register, is the unsung hero bridging the gap for those who can’t find a donor within their family. And here, at the University of Sheffield, the student led group Sheffield Marrow is smashing it at the frontline of this mission, bringing lots of action to campus.

Curious to see their work in action, I attended their latest event, the “Swabathon”, where I signed up to the stem cell register myself. While there, I caught up with Sheffield Marrow’s president, Jacob Davies, to get the lowdown on their incredible work. Here’s what I learned.

What does Anthony Nolan do?

Anthony Nolan is the UK’s stem cell register helping patients who need a stem cell transplant find their perfect match. “If you have a rare blood disorder and you need a transplant, 25 per cent of the time you’ll get it for your family”, Jacob explained. “But 75 per cent of the time, you’d have to come to us”.

Signing up is simple: scan a QR code, complete a short medical history survey, swab your cheeks, and you’re on the register until the age of 61. For those who match a patient, there’s a one-in-a-hundred per cent chance of being asked to donate in your lifetime. But the impact? Life-changing.

Jacob’s own journey with Sheffield Marrow began four years ago as a volunteer. “It’s very low pressure”, he shared. “Hours aren’t fixed – you just do what you can, when you can”. From there his passion for the cause grew, eventually leading him to step into a leadership role and help run events across campus.

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Recruitment events

Sheffield Marrow doesn’t just get sign people to sign up – group members like to give it a fun twist.

“We have this pre-set plan from Anthony Nolan, with themes events for each month”, Jacob explained. October? That’s “Marrow-ween” – this year included the opportunity to get tatted with temporary ink. And in November there’s “Hero Week”, where Marrow teams up with Sheffield’s societies to spread the word.

The Swabathon, which took place on 29th November, is one of their biggest events, featuring pop-ups in The Wave, IC and The Students’ Union. The energy was great – volunteers were full of positivity and clearly knew their stuff, chatting away to students, and explaining how a quick cheek swab could change a life. And their efforts didn’t go unnoticed – they managed to sign up an incredible 181 students in just one day. That’s 181 potential lifesavers added to the register. Not a bad day’s work at all.

So, what happens if you’re a match?

Now, let’s get to the big question: how does donating actually work? Yes, it may sound daunting to some, but it’s surprisingly simple. “90 per cent of the time, it’s like giving blood”, Jacob said. “Blood is taken out of your arm, stem cells are extracted, and blood is returned back into the body”.

For the other 10 per cent, things are a bit more involved. This process is typically used to provide a purer sample to young children with aggressive conditions. It involves a small procedure under general anaesthetic. “You get an injection in your back and wake up feeling no worse than a hangover – and you’ve saved a life”, he added. It’s a small sacrifice for an enormous impact.

Sheffield’s success stories

Sheffield Marrow’s efforts have already contributed to saving 10 lives, which is an amazing legacy for a student-led group. On a national level, Anthony Nolan has registered over a million potential donors, saving thousands of lives in the process.

And their impact is set only to grow. In 2025, the charity is set to open a donation centre in Nottingham, which is a huge step forward. “It’s a game changer”, Jacob explained. “It means we won’t have to rely on hospitals to coordinate donations – we can provide a holistic experience for donors and recipients.” The future looks bright for Sheffield Marrow and Anthony Nolan, and they’re only just getting started.

How you can get involved

Whether you’re a Sheffield student or just passing through, signing up to the Anthony Nolan register is a small act with monumental potential. And if you want to do more, becoming a Marrow volunteer is an easy way to give back and share your passions.

Having now signed up myself, I’m amazed at how quick and simple it was – yet the impact could be lifesaving. The next time you see a Sheffield Marrow stand on campus, make sure to stop by. In just a few minutes, you could be one step closer to saving a life – and maybe one day, it’ll be your stem cells that make the difference.