The secretary of state for health and social care is encouraging more people in west Suffolk to register as stem cell donors after he attended a reception in Westminster.

As part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September, Matt Hancock, who is also MP for West Suffolk, backed the Anthony Nolan Communities vs Blood Cancer campaign on Wednesday.

The campaign aims to highlight the vital work being done at a local level to ensure every patient in need of a stem cell transplant can find a lifesaving donor.

In west Suffolk, 914 potential stem cell donors are registered with Anthony Nolan, with 39% of those being male and the average age at 38.

Anthony Nolan is encouraging more people from west Suffolk – particularly men aged 16-30 and people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds – to register as stem cell donors.

Mr Hancock said: “I am very proud that west Suffolk has 914 people who have selflessly volunteered to give someone 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.

“I strongly hope that more people from our community will be inspired to sign up and show that together, we can provide a cure for blood cancer.”

Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “Since 1974 thousands of caring, selfless people have joined the Anthony Nolan register and thousands of lives have been saved as a result.

This Blood Cancer Awareness Month residents can be proud of all the lifesavers in your community. It’s wonderful to have the support of west Suffolk in achieving our goal of saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.”

For more information about the Community vs Blood Cancer campaign visit www.anthonynolan.org/communities