MORE people in the North West are being urged to sign up as blood stem cell donors to save lives.

Figures from charity DKMS suggest that there are 49,265 people who have registered as donors in the region however experts are warning that this figure is falling short of saving lives across the country.

Blood cancers are now deemed the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK but blood stem cell donations can potentially give someone the second chance at life.

A new campaign featuring dad-of-two Peter McCleave, 40, is now urging more people to sign up

After being diagnosed with myeloma Peter has been given just seven years to live if a matching donor is not found.

He has now set himself a personal challenge to secure 10,000 DKMS sign-ups from across the region.

He told the Globe: "I have no intention of the seven years the doctors have given me being it.

"Everyone has it in their heart to help but sometimes life gets in the way.

"I’m Peter, I’ve got two kids and a wife, you could help save my life and others in need of a matching donor by registering as a potential lifesaver – please don’t hold off, every second counts.

"I truly believe there are more good people out there than bad and I really need your help.”

Peter is just one of several faces who are fronting DKMS' new campaign #LifesaverInYou.

Head of donor recruitment at DKMS Lisa Nugent said: “For a few minutes of your time now to sign up, you could save someone’s life in the future.

"If you’re aged between 17 and 55 and in general good health, there’s no excuse not to, as it could make all the difference to someone in need of a donation, like Peter and his family.”

How do you become a donor?

  • Order a home swab kit online at www.dkms.org.uk/With-Peter​
  • Once received, you swab the inside of your cheeks and send everything back in a pre-paid envelope to DKMS
  • You will then be on standby as a potential donor.
  • If you are called upon there are two donation methods; blood is taken from one of the donor's arms and a machine extracts the blood stem cells from it, the donor's blood is then returned to them through their other arm - this is usually completed in four to six hours.
  • In 10% of cases donations are made through bone marrow collection from the pelvic bone.