| CONTACT DETAILS | If you want more information on becoming a donor, contact the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust on: 0208 667 1122 or visit www.aclt.org GET INFORMED, IT COULD BE YOU! |
 | | Kevin Phelps |
Kevin Phelps was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in October 2005. He has been suffering from the condition since complaining of dizziness, extreme tiredness and nausea. Before his illness Kevin lived a healthy life. He was a dedicated martial artist, didn’t smoke, and drank alcohol in moderation.  | | Kevin Phelps at Sandwell Hospital |
Kevin has not responded to two courses of chemotherapy and remains critically ill in Sandwell Hospital. Doctors have given him 3 months to live, and say his only chance of surviving is through a bone marrow transplant. The Obstacle  | | Kevin Phelps Appeal Flyer |
Kevin needs his donor to come from the same ethnic background as himself, but this is complicated by the lack of African Caribbean people on the donor register. There are half a million people registered as bone marrow donors in the UK, only 15,000 are of African, African Caribbean or Mixed Parentage descent. There is not a suitable match for Kevin on the existing register, so his family have launched a heart wrenching appeal to Black communities across the U.K to sign up as donors, in the hope that he will be saved. Kevin's Plea Many feel that ‘myths’ around the process of being a donor, are preventing people of African and African Caribbean descent coming forward. Kevin saw the importance of being a donor before he became ill, and has donated blood on several occasions. From his hospital bed Kevin made this plea to potential donors:  | | Kevin Phelps Appeal Volunteers |
“I’d basically like to tell everyone, definitely the Black community to come forward, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. “I don’t smoke, I drink in moderation and yet this has happened. I want to come through this, I’ve got so much to live for” If you want more information on the process of being a donor, or have any other queries please contact the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) on: 0208 667 1122 or visit www.aclt.org The Appeal Begins Kevin’s family and friends have set up an emergency appeal for Black donors, in the hope that he will receive that life saving transplant. They have been fiercely campaigning under the management of Lorna Brown, who was contacted by Kevin to help push things forward.  | | Kevin Phelps Family |
“My involvement started with a call from Kevin asking for help. We sat and had a meeting with Kevin’s mum first of all, then went to The Voice newspaper, then we went to all the local media, and it’s just gone from strength to strength”. The Robert Beckford Show The Kevin Phelps Appeal is discussed on the Robert Beckford Show, which broadcasts on BBC radio WM. Kevin contributes to the radio interview from his hospital bed, whilst his mother Cynthia Phelps, younger brother Gary Phelps and Appeal co-ordinator Lorna Brown are in the studio.  | | Kevin's brother Gary Phelps |
Kevin tells Robert that he has been pleased with the support his received so far from the community: “It means everything too me, not just for me, but for the Black community as a whole. "Obviously from my point of view, I would be so grateful if someone does come forward, who has a tissue type match. But there are other sick people like me who've had their lives crashed round them too”. Kevin Phelps younger brother, Gary, explains what people need to do to register:  | | Kevin's mum Cynthia Phelps |
“It’s a very straight forward process. All people need to do is go down to their local blood donation centre. There’s one in New Street in Birmingham. You walk in, fill out a form, then it’s a very basic process of taking a sample of blood” Cynthia Phelps, Kevin’s mum thinks fear is holding members of the African Caribbean Community from coming forward: “I think some Black people are scared, because they think it’s some big operation. They don’t know It’s just a simple needle used to take a sample of their blood. And that’s why I think most of them are scared to come forward”. Volunteers needed Lorna Brown, a family friend, says that she needs volunteers to help out with the appeal:  | | Lorna Brown - Appeal Co-ordinator |
“It would be really nice if people support what were doing, by helping us give out leaflets, to advertise Kevin's predicament to the community. As Kevin said, there are other people in the same situation as himself” Robert Beckford, a registered donor himself, said it was a shame it took a crisis situation like this before members of the Black community were made aware of the situation, and got themselves registered. Kevin’s Thank you message “I just like to thank everyone whose been supporting this appeal so far. Everyone that registered and distributed leaflets. I would also like to thank the donors that come forward.” YOU COULD SAVE KEVIN’S LIFE You can be a donor as long as you are in generally good health, between 18 – 43 years of age. NO SURGERY INVOLVED. JUST A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST TO REGISTER AS A DONOR JUST ATTEND ANY OF THE FOLLOWING VENUES: Saturday 11th February 11a.m – 4pm, at The Drum, The Seminar Room, 144 Potters Lane, Aston Birmingham B6 4UU. Friday 17th February 9pm – 2a.m at The Sapphire Conference and Banqueting Centre, 215 Bradford Street, Digbeth B12 0RG. GET THERE, GET INFORMED, GET TESTED. IT COULD BE YOU! | 
