African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
| Abbreviation | ACLT |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Type | Charity |
| Focus | To raise awareness of stem cell, blood & organ donation within Black and ethnic minority communities |
| Headquarters | 2A Garnet Road, Thorton Heath, Surrey, CR7 8RD |
| Website | www.aclt.org |
African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (Commonly referred to as ACLT) is an independent charity based in the UK which strives to provide a life line for those suffering from blood related cancers such as Leukaemia and other life-threatening disorders. The ACLT aims to raise awareness on stem cell, blood and organ donation within UK population, with a particular focus on the Black and Mixed race communities. They work closely within this area due to the severe lack of individuals signed to the registers from these communities.
History
ACLT(African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) was co-founded by Beverley De-Gale OBE and Orin Lewis OBE in 1996, after they received the news that their 6-year-old son, Daniel De-Gale, had been diagnosed with leukaemia. Daniel’s only hope of survival was to receive a stem cell transplant; stem cells have racially specific characteristics therefore Daniel’s donor could only be found from the black or mixed race population, of which only 550 were registered- this translated into a 1 in 250,000 chance of finding a matching donor for Daniel. When confronted by these facts and figures, it became apparent to both Beverley and Orin that there was a need for an organisation to galvanise awareness and increase the number of donors. Orin and Beverley channelled their anxiety of discovering their son had a form of cancer into a goal of creating a better future for people suffering with Leukaemia and other blood-related disorders. To achieve this, the charity was founded to raise awareness and to enable potential donors to come forward and donate, allowing them to go on and potentially become a lifesaver.
In 1999, after three years of campaigning alongside his parents for donors to come forward and join the bone marrow registry, Daniel became the first black person in the UK (aged 12), to receive a lifesaving bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.
In 2008 the development of the organisation into a leading national blood disorder and cancer charity started to take place, enlisting major corporate support and having already established patrons and trustees, such as the first winner of the television programme 'The Apprentice', and now successful entrepreneur Tim Campbell MBE[1] and ex-world heavy weight boxing champion, David Haye.[2] On 8 October 2008, Daniel De-Gale, aged 21, died due to further health complications.[3] An uplifting spirit was evident amongst the congregation of family, friends, celebrities and well-wishers attending Daniel's funeral, that it was almost inevitable that the many tributes from that day would morph into a lasting legacy.[4] Since 2009, October has marked 'Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Month'- a month long campaign where the ACLT request members of the British public, particularly from African and Caribbean backgrounds to come together to donate one unit of blood on mass by joining the NHS Blood register. This, alongside numerous other recruitment drives and initiatives the ACLT conducts, has been paramount in raising the base level of donors from the hundreds to tens or thousands.
The ACLT continue with their life saving work of spreading awareness surrounding stem cell(bone marrow), blood and organ donation within ethnic minorities, with the sole purpose to increase the number of ethnic minorities registered on the stem cell, blood and organ registers.[5] Over the last 19 years the ACLT have recruited over 60,000 individuals of all ethnicities to the stem cell registers (Anthony Nolan , Delete Blood Cancer UK and British Bone Marrow Registry), with approximately 70% of these potential donors being from an African or Caribbean background, and have also saved over 60 individuals lives through finding bone marrow donors. The work of ACLT has actively helped to improve the odds of BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) patients finding a stem cell match, receiving blood or receiving an organ through transplantation, though statistics as they stand today are still shocking. Today, a Black, Asian or ethnic minority who is in need of a stem cell transplant has less than a 20% chance of finding the best possible match from an unrelated donor, whilst a White British patient in the same position has a 60% chance. Statistics surrounding black and ethnic minorities in regards to Organ donation and Blood donation are also worryingly low, and so ACLT aim to raise awareness within the Black and Mixed race community (particularly) in all three donation areas.
ACLT not only aim to sign up new, potential donors, but they also ensure that patients and family members of patients are supported through the diagnosis process and treatment right up to successful completion of treatments.
Celebrity involvement
Over the years the work of ACLT has been supported by a number of celebrities and high profile people such as the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson,[6] Ian Wright,[7] David Harewood,[8][9] Alesha Dixon,[10] Colin Salmon, Chucky Venn,[11] Reggie Yates,[12] John Barnes,[13] David Haye,[14] John Fashanu,[15] Wretch 32,[16] Dereck Chisora[17] and many more. Spoken Word artists George The Poet [18] and young actor Percelle Ascott[19] of 'Mandem On The Wall' are the most recent to become ACLT Youth Ambassadors.
In October 2014, Tinchy Stryder and the Chuckle Brothers released a single "To Me - To You (Bruv)" to raise funds.[20]
Awards and achievements
Since the beginning of ACLT Beverley, Orin, Daniel and the charity as an organisation have had much recognition for their work, having received highly prestigious awards and achievements. The ACLT saw its first major national recognition in 2006, when the charity received a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Special Achievement Award. Beverley and Orin were both awarded with an OBE on the Queen's Birthday in 2011 and New Year's 2012 Honours List by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary, in recognition for Services to Healthcare respectively.
Achievements
- Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis were chosen as members of the judging panel at Pride of Britain in 2007.
- Orin Lewis is Chair of The National BME Cancer Voice,[21] Co-Chair of the National BAME Transplant Alliance,[22] a Member of the National Cancer Equalities Initiative advisory group (NCEI) and a Member of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation Clinical Reference Group (BMT CRG)[23]
Awards
| Organisation | Award | Year | Awarded to |
|---|---|---|---|
| GV Media Group Ltd | 15th Anniversary Community Awards for health | 1997 | ACLT |
| Candace Women of Achievement Awards | For Courage | 1997 | Beverley De-Gale |
| The Voice & Workers & Capital Golden Heart Award | Beverley De-Gale | ||
| GV Media Group Ltd | Annual Community Award - Family | 1998 | Daniel De-Gale |
| EMMA | EMMA Charity of the Year | 1999 | Daniel De-Gale Trust |
| Windsor Fellowship | Junior Fellowship Champion | 2000 | Daniel De-Gale |
| Child of Achievement Award | 2000 | Daniel De-Gale | |
| The Croydon Guardian | Croydon Champion | 2002 | Daniel De-Gale [24] |
| EPN (Executive & Professional Network) | Men & Women of Merit Awards | 2002 | Beverley De-Gale |
| 100 Black Men of London | Youth of the Year | 2003 | Daniel De-Gale |
| Pride Of Britain | Special Achievement Award | 2006 | Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis[25] |
| EFWBO (European Federation of Black Women in Business Owners) | Black Women in Business Awards Winner: Excellence Award | 2007 | Beverley De-Gale |
| 100 Black Men of London | Community Service Award | 2008 | Daniel De-Gale |
| BEST Magazine | Bravest Women Awards | 2008 | Beverley De-Gale |
| GV Media Group Ltd | Community Awards | 2009 | ACLT |
| In Celebration of My Sisters Awards | 2009 | Beverley De-Gale | |
| The Network (The Home Office) | (In Recognition of) Contribution to The Network, Race & Diversity Agenda | 2009 | ACLT |
| Barclays, East Surrey & Sussex News Media | Heart of the Community | 2009 | ACLT [26] |
| Spirit of London Awards (SOLA) | Spirit of London Special Recognition Award | 2009 | Daniel De-Gale |
| UNISON | Contribution to the Black Community | 2011 | ACLT |
| AFIYA Awards | Fundraiser of the Year Award | 2011 | Beverley De-Gale |
| Inspiration Awards for Women | Special Award | 2011 | Beverley De-Gale |
| OBE | 2011 | Beverley De-Gale[27] | |
| Croydon Champion Awards | Highly Commended Community Champion Award | 2011 | Orin Lewis |
| UNISON | Charity of the Year | 2011-2012 | ACLT |
| Music Video & Screen Awards | Westmore Ezekiel Award | 2012 | ACLT [28] |
| Men of Valour | Lifetime Achievement Award | 2012 | Orin Lewis |
| OBE | 2012 | Orin Lewis[29] | |
| Royal College of Pathologists | Oliver Memorial Award 2013 | 2013 | ACLT [30] |
| National Diversity Awards | Community Organisation Award for Race, Religion & Faith | 2014 | ACLT [31] |
| HSJ (Health Service Journal) | BME Pioneer | 2014 | Beverley De-Gale & Orin Lewis[32] |
References
- ↑ 'Tim is also a great supporter of the Jack Petchey Foundation, the ACLT..' http://www.tim-campbell.co.uk/content/biography
- ↑ 'ACLT Charity Patron - David 'The Hayemaker' Haye' http://www.aclt.org/index.php/home/shownews/76
- ↑ 'Leukaemia campaigner Daniel De Gale dies' http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/3743949.Leukaemia_campaigner_Daniel_De_Gale_dies/
- ↑ 'Donor campaigner's funeral held' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7688081.stm
- ↑ ITV. "Video: Bone marrow and organ donor appeal Leeds", "ITV", 22 September 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ↑ Duchess of York, hosts Fundraiser for ACLT at May Fair Hotel http://www.aclt.org/index.php/home/shownews/127
- ↑ Daniel De-Gale and Ian Wright give a Xmas appeal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrI4Lyf9fc
- ↑ Homeland star David Harewood appeals for black people to donate stem cells http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/homeland-star-david-harewood-appeals-for-black-people-to-donate-stem-cells-10101853.html
- ↑ David Harewood donates his bone marrow http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/homeland-star-david-harewood-donating-3553830
- ↑ Alesha Dixon wishes ACLT a happy 18th birthday (2014) https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=676118279128152&video_source=pages_finch_thumbnail_video
- ↑ Chucky attends ACLT Zumbathon http://www.aclt.org/index.php/home/shownews/240
- ↑ Reggie Yates attends ACLT Gift of Life Ball http://www.contactmusic.com/pictures/28d58ec8/continental_3_wenn1586666
- ↑ My Story by ACLT Patron John Barnes MBE http://www.aclt.org/index.php/aclt/showitem/45
- ↑ David Haye raises money for the ACLT on TV programme 'The Chase' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3XesaE0G18
- ↑ John Fashanu donated £215,000 after his appearance on I´m a Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here to ACLT & visited Daniel at GOSH to offer his support.. http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=303
- ↑
- BeingAfricanCaribbean- Wretch 32, Richard Blackwood & Trevor Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYStT6iKEfY
- ↑ DERECK CHISORA HANDS £20K CHEQUE TO ACLT CHARITY & INTERVIEW / HAYE v CHISORA BET https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9skBimzOTmg
- ↑ George tweets 'selfie' of he & Beverley at annual Capital Xtra donor drive https://twitter.com/georgethepoet/status/576744515324772352
- ↑ Percelle attends annual donor drive at Capital Xtra celebrating Daniel De-Gale's birthday http://www.londoncurls.com/aclt-donor-drive-danielsbday1403/
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/23/tinchy-stryder-duet-chuckle-brothers-african-caribbean-leukaemia-trust
- ↑ http://www.irishinbritain.org/cmsfiles/Downloads/Health/Our-Calls-For-Action.pdf
- ↑ http://www.nbta-uk.org.uk/partners/aclt/
- ↑ http://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-b/b04/
- ↑ http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/229926.display/
- ↑ See 2006 winners.. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pride-britain-roll-honour-winners-1405932
- ↑ http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/Croydon-groups-scoop-prizes-Heart-Community-awards/story-11369786-detail/story.html
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/honours-list/8568948/Honours-OBE-for-campaigning-mother-driven-by-sons-leukaemia-tragedy.html
- ↑ http://www.divascribe.com/pages/viewevent/58
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16369382
- ↑ http://www.rcpath.org/Resources/PDF/Oliver%20memorial%202013%20-%20Nov%20LW.pdf
- ↑ http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/african-caribbean-leukaemia-trust/
- ↑ http://www.hsj.co.uk/resource-centre/supplements/hsj-bme-pioneers-2014/5076440.article#.VRptScalmfU