UNIVERSITY students have helped recruit their classmates to donate bone marrow to the Anthony Nolan Trust.

UNIVERSITY students have helped recruit their classmates to donate bone marrow to the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Students at the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley teamed up with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual society at the university, and convinced half of those who attended the donor drive to sign the registry.

About 70% of patients suffering from leukemia, aplastic anaemia and other bone marrow diseases do not have a suitable sibling who can help treat the conditions.

The larger the donor registry list, the better chance of helping thousands of patients.

Student David Gracie, 19, said he was surprised how easy the new bone marrow donation process - called peripheral blood stem cell donation - is.

"Having heard horror stories of the traditional bone marrow procedure, I was apprehensive about registering," he said.

"But, after having the consultation, I discovered that PBSC is just like giving blood.

"If more people knew about this method, they would be more willing to sign up to the register."

Donors between the ages of 18 and 40 are recruited, and stay on the registry until their 60th birthday. Young people, males and those from black and ethnic backgrounds are particularly needed.

Claire Lumsden of the LGBT said: "We appreciate all the hard work the Anthony Nolan Trust has done over the years and are proud to support them with donor recruitment sessions and fundraising."

Angela MacVicar of the Anthony Nolan Trust said: "Every 21 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with leukemia or a related illness and for many a bone marrow transplant is the only cure, which is why we constantly need to expand our register.

"Raising awareness is vital and we are delighted the University of the West of Scotland supports our campaign to encourage more people to join the register."