DONATE TO DKMS, to the
swiss stem cell register,
or to sarcoma uk…
YOU CAN DONATE HERE
Support my solo Atlantic row - and save lives!
Every single rowing stroke I take across the Atlantic is in support of two charitable causes.
One is the global stem cell register. I am fundraising for DKMS, a charity dedicated to fighting blood cancers and blood disorders through encouraging more people to join the stem cell donor register. Because I live in Switzerland, I’m also raising funds for the Swiss Stem Cell Register.
The process is quick and easy, just some painless mouth swabs and a few health questions. It costs DKMS £40 to sign up each new potential donor, a small price for the chance to save a life. By donating, you're helping fund this, and giving more people the opportunity to become potential lifesavers. Your support turns this extreme challenge into a mission with real-world impact, one swab, and one mile, at a time.
I am also raising funds for Sarcoma UK, a British charity that provides information, support and funding research for people affected by sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses annually. This is in memory of my friend James Smythe, a Great Britain canoeist, who was also a sarcoma patient.
What Your Donation Can do
£1,000 funds the registration and processing of 25 potential stem cell donors - each one a possible lifesaver for someone needing a compatible stem cell transplant.
£500 enables the expansion of the donor database and increase the chances of finding matches for blood cancer patients in urgent need.
£100 supports the testing and registration of 2–3 new donors, helping reach more communities and diversify the donor pool.
£40 pays for one new, potential lifesaver to be signed up to the stem cell donor register.
DKMS uses donations for far more than just swab kits. Your support helps fund donor recruitment, research, and global awareness efforts.
Here’s a breakdown of how DKMS puts donations to work beyond the £40 swab kit cost:
1. Medical Research and Innovation
DKMS invests in improving stem cell transplant outcomes and blood cancer treatments. They fund cutting-edge research and maintain state-of-the-art labs to enhance donor matching and patient survival rates.
2. Global Donor Recruitment
Beyond sending kits, DKMS organizes large-scale donor drives, both online and in-person, to grow and diversify the global stem cell registry. This includes outreach in underserved communities where matches are harder to find.
3. Awareness Campaigns
Donations help DKMS start conversations about blood cancers and the importance of stem cell donation. These campaigns help dispel myths, encourage registrations, and build a culture of giving.
4. Donor Follow-Up and Logistics
Once a match is found, DKMS covers donor medical assessments, travel, and post-donation care. They ensure the process is safe, ethical, and donor-friendly.
In short, your donation fuels a full ecosystem - from swab to transplant to recovery. It’s not just about finding matches - it’s about saving lives and supporting every step of the journey.
Honouring Margot
I met Margot Martini’s father, Yaser, before my first ocean row. His quiet strength left a lasting impression.
He spoke about the heartbreak of losing Margot to blood cancer at just 18 months old, a pain no parent should ever endure. But instead of turning inward, he channelled his grief into action, founding a movement to find stem cell donors for others.
His determination was fierce: every swab kit sent out was a chance to save a life.
That conversation lit a fire in me. Supporting DKMS isn’t just about funding, it’s about honouring stories like Margot’s and helping families facing the unimaginable find hope.
Join me on this incredible journey!
Help me get to the start line. Sponsor my Atlantic row, spread the word, and follow the campaign. Your support, or your company’s, or an organisation you may be involved with, could help save lives with DKMS by helping me reach the start line in La Gomera in December 2027. Please get on board!