Wigan Athletic back leukaemia charity initiative

by Pat McGatt. Published Tue 28 Sep 2010 16:20, Last updated: 2010-09-28

Wigan Athletic have thrown their weight behind the Register and Be a Life Saver initiative.

Manager Roberto Martinez and centre-back Antolin Alcaraz were more than happy to give their support to the push to save the lives of children with leukaemia.

They have been promoting a local initiative to get people to join the Anthony Nolan register which they can do by visiting the Ince Community Centre on Monday.

For thousands of children and adults with the disease, their only hope of survival is a donation of healthy stem cells but it needs a perfect match and so the more donors there are on the register the more chance of that match being found.

Local gym-owner Royce Banks (pictured with Martinez) has been rallying local people to attend the recruitment event this Monday, where saliva samples can be tested.

To be added to the register, you should be between the ages of 18 and 40, weigh over 8 stone and be in good health.

So why not pop along and you could save the life of one of the many leukaemia sufferers who can't find matches now or in the future.

The recruitment event is at Ince Community Centre, Manchester Road (corner of Belle Green Lane), Ince, Wigan. WN2 2EA on Monday 4 October, 5pm-9pm.