Celebrating the 813 potential lifesavers in Midlothian North and Musselburgh this Blood Cancer Awareness Month
To mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Colin Beattie MSP took part in a digital ‘Day of Action’ to celebrate the number of potential stem cell donors in Midlothian North and Musselburgh on the Anthony Nolan register and raise awareness of the urgent need for more donors in light of the challenges to donor recruitment presented by the pandemic. This day was marked by Anthony Nolan on Wednesday 9 September, as part of its Communities vs Blood Cancer campaign, which shines a spotlight on vital work being done locally to ensure that every patient in need of a stem cell transplant can find a lifesaving donor. Anthony Nolan’s lifesaving work has been greatly enhanced at a local level by the charity’s eleven-year partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who undertake vital work in schools through the SFRS Education Programme. In Midlothian North and Musselburgh, 813 potential stem cell donors are registered with Anthony Nolan. Only 20 of these donors are men aged 16-30, and the average age is 34. In total, more than 800,000 people in the UK are on the Anthony Nolan register, any of whom could be a match for someone with blood cancer and asked to donate their stem cells to give a patient a second chance of life. Now, Colin Beattie is encouraging more people from Midlothian North and Musselburgh, particularly men aged 16-30 and people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, to register as stem cell donors and make sure that a match is available for everyone in need of a transplant. While anyone on the register could be a match for someone with blood cancer, men aged 16-30 are most likely to be asked to donate. They provide more than 50% of donations yet make up just 18% of the register. There is also a shortage of donors from non-white and mixed-race backgrounds. Colin Beattie MSP said: “I am very proud that Midlothian North and Musselburgh has 813 registered donors, any one of whom could offer the only chance of giving someone with blood cancer a second chance at life. Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.” Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “In the last year 813 selfless Scots from Midlothian North and Musselburgh joined the Anthony Nolan register, each one representing hope for patients with blood cancer, and blood disorders, in need of matching stem cell donors. “This Blood Cancer Awareness Month residents can be proud of all the lifesavers in your community. To everyone from Midlothian North and Musselburgh who has taken the decision to join the register, thank you. It is vital we recruit more ethnically-diverse, young, male, donors to ensure everyone who needs a transplant can access one. Without you, there is no cure.” For more information on Anthony Nolan visit anthonynolan.org/join Anthony Nolan uses its register to match potential stem cell donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a stem cell transplant. It also carries out vital research to make stem cell transplants more successful and supports patients through their transplant journeys.
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NEW £10 MILLION FUND WILL SUPPORT RENTERS IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH
MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has said a new £10 million fund announced by the SNP Government will support people struggling to pay their rent across Lothian. Announced earlier this week, the Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will open later this Autumn and offer interest-free loans to those unable to access other forms of support for their housing costs. The Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) fund which helps tenants in receipt of benefits will also increase by £3 million, bringing the total to £19 million. This is in addition to measures already in place to fully mitigate the Tory bedroom tax in Scotland. The SNP Government has also extended legislation to protect private and social tenants from eviction until March 2021 – pending approval from Holyrood. Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said: “Coronavirus is the biggest health crisis of our time, but as we look to rebuild our economy and regain a sense of normality, we can’t simply go back to how things were. “We know that the pandemic has hit the lowest earners hardest - that’s why the SNP Government has announced a range of measures designed at tackling inequality and supporting those who need it most. “This new £10 million fund, coupled with existing housing benefits, will mean that no one in Midlothian or East Lothian should be left in a position where they can’t access support to pay their rent. “It’s only right that while we continue working together to suppress the virus, the SNP Government does all it can to support tenants during these tough times.” LOCAL MSP: COVID RECOVERY PLAN WILL CREATE NEW JOBS IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced an ambitious Programme for Government aimed at ensuring a strong economic recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic. Under the commitments, all young people in Scotland aged 16 to 24 will be guaranteed a job, education, apprenticeship or formal training through a new £60 million government scheme. By this Autumn, a £100 million Green Jobs fund will be launched to help up to 10,000 people of all ages retrain for jobs in growth sectors such as renewables. The SNP government has also announced a new £10 million Tenant Hardship Fund, which will open later this year and offer interest-free loans to those unable to access other forms of support for their housing costs. £500 million will also be invested in infrastructure to support active travel. A comprehensive independent review of adult social care will also take place – setting out options for the creation of a National Care Service. Commenting, SNP MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie said: “Coronavirus has been the greatest public health crisis in our lifetime – impacting our health, economy and our way of life. “The SNP government has made it its mission to create new jobs in Midlothian and East Lothian. This is a Programme for Government that protects people’s livelihoods, guarantees opportunities for all our young people and points the way to a future with better, greener jobs as Scotland looks to becoming a net-zero country. “We can’t simply go back to how things were – we have an opportunity to build back a fairer and better Scotland. “That’s why the First Minister has announced these unprecedented measures to help us reform social care, protect our young people and invest in our local economy – all while continuing to suppress the virus. “As ambitious as these commitments are, the Scottish Government continues to fight Coronavirus with one hand tied behind its back. Westminster’s plans to end to the furlough scheme prematurely and crash out of the EU without a deal later this year, will be deeply damaging. “As an independent European nation, we could do so much more.” YOUTH GUARANTEE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN SUCCEED
SNP MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed a new £60 million Youth Guarantee announced in the Programme for Government, which guarantees everyone in Midlothian North and Musselburgh aged 16-24, a job, a place in education or a place in training. The new partnership between the Scottish Government and Scotland’s employers is backed by £60 million of government investment, which will be broken down as follows:
SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “Governments have rightly taken unprecedented steps to protect workers and businesses through this pandemic, but it’s vital that young people are not left behind. “This SNP government is absolutely determined that youth unemployment will not become the legacy of the Coronavirus pandemic. “The new £60 million Youth Guarantee, announced in the First Minister’s Programme for Government, will guarantee every young person in Midlothian and East Lothian aged 16-24 a job, a place in training, or a place in education. "This is backed by additional funding for employers to recruit and retain apprentices, and the new Job Start Payment to help with the costs associated with starting a new job. “I would urge all employers who are able, to work with the Scottish Government to create more opportunities that recognise the valuable contribution our young people have to make in growing our economy. “These steps to support those most adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic are most welcome, and the SNP will continue to work to ensure every young person in Midlothian and East Lothian is given the opportunity to succeed” |
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