This nationwide campaign, Med Appeal, comes amid concern at the lack of Mediterraneans currently on the register. A patient in need of a bone marrow transplant is most likely to find a suitable donor amongst groups of people who share a similar genetic history to them.

Of the roughly 330,000 potential donors listed on The Anthony Nolan Register, less than 1% of volunteers are Mediterranean and the figures are lower for many other ethnic groups. It is incredibly important that we increase the representation and ethnic diversity on the register. It is only then that we will be able to offer all patients a chance of finding a donor.

Vice Chairman of the Leukaemia Society (UK) and bone marrow donor, Harry Christoforou, said being a bone marrow donor was "a positive life experience" but said more was needed to encourage others to register, particularly ethnic minority communities. Many thousands of people are waiting for a match – without it they are going to die.

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