Posted by

Monday December 22, 2008

Penelope Cruz has urged the public to register as bone marrow donors.

The Vicky Cristina Barcelona star is joining the Anthony Nolan Trust’s national campaign to encourage people to give the gift of life this Christmas by going on to the charity’s bone marrow register.

Cruz even paid a visit to an eight-year-old boy, Joe, who is battling leukemia.

She said, “I was very surprised to discover there are two different ways to donate your bone marrow and the second way is a much easier, less invasive process than I had ever imagined.

“If only more people in the UK knew that there is a method of donating bone marrow that is simple and pain free. I urge you please, please register to be a donor with the Anthony Nolan Trust.

“I’ve recently met Joe who has been searching for a donor for over three years. He’s a sunny and intelligent eight-year-old but is battling with leukaemia as I speak.

“One suitable donor could save his life. Imagine if it was your brother, mother, cousin or friend, and with just one step, you could save their life. Wouldn’t you do it? Please contact The Anthony Nolan Trust register and find out how simple it is to save a stranger’s life.”

The charity said that each year more than 1,300 patients in the UK search for a suitable bone marrow donor but because individual genetic make-up is so varied the chances of finding a suitable donor are slim.