Al Murray inspired by passing of nephew to back stem cell register campaign
Pub Landlord comic Al Murray is backing stem cell charity Anthony Nolan's new Half a Chance campaign to encourage people to join the stem cell register.
Al Murray is backing a new campaign urging people to join the stem cell register after being inspired to do so by the tragic death of his eight-year-old nephew.
The Pub Landlord comic has teamed up with stem cell charity Anthony Nolan to launch Half a Chance, to mark the 30th anniversary of its world-leading research institute.
The initiative highlights the sobering reality that currently only around 50 per cent of blood cancer patients survive for five years or more after a donor stem cell transplant, in which the patient’s stem cells are replaced with those from a healthy donor, and that the continued need for research funding is more vital than ever.
The cause is deeply personal for Murray, as his eight-year-old nephew, Finley, tragically passed away in 2021 after two stem cell transplants, following a battle with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia.
Since then, Murray has been a dedicated advocate for stem cell transplant awareness and research funding.
Launching the campaign, Murray said: “Having lost my nephew Finley to blood cancer, I know firsthand the devastating reality families face. Anthony Nolan’s Research Institute has made incredible strides over the past 30 years, but patients need more than half a chance. We need to continue funding vital and groundbreaking research so that every patient gets the second chance at life they deserve.”
The campaign sees Murray, 58, sitting in a traditional pub, but the setting is extremely poignant, as Al is seated alongside three real-life stem cell transplant recipients. Next to them, three empty bar stools sit conspicuously vacant, a striking representation of the stark reality for those in need of a transplant.
Joining Murray in the campaign are three people whose lives were saved by successful donor transplants. Raj, 32, from Leicester, was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called myelofibrosis when he was just 22. Thanks to the international registry search, a matching donor was found in Germany.
Emma, 58, from Hertfordshire, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2024 following a routine blood test. Emma underwent four months of chemo before a stem cell match was found through Anthony Nolan.
Kal, 52, from London, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of myelodysplastic syndrome just before Christmas in 2019. Luckily, her two youngest siblings were a match, and Kal went on to receive a successful stem cell transplant.
The Anthony Nolan Research Institute (ANRI) opened in 1996, dedicated to improving the lives of people in need of a stem cell transplant. Over the past 50 years, the charity itself has helped facilitate over 30,100 transplants for people around the world, while its research and growth of the register have helped transform the outlook for people in need of a stem cell transplant for blood cancer or a blood disorder. Home to some of the globe’s leading stem cell transplant experts, ANRI has been pivotal in changing clinical practice to help more patients survive and thrive.
Dr Robert Danby, chief medical and scientific officer at Anthony Nolan, said: “Ever since Shirley Nolan established the world’s first stem cell register, innovation has been at our core. While we’ve transformed thousands of lives over the last 30 years, only around 50 per cent of blood cancer patients currently survive five years post-transplant, with many facing severe side effects. Continued research is the only way to change these odds and give every patient the future they deserve.”
Go to anthonynolan.org to join Anthony Nolan’s register or support its research.
