A Press and Journal journalist has been nominated for a prestigious national charity award organised by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.
Chris MacLennan, from Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye, who works out of the Inverness office of the P&J has been nominated for the Journalist of the Year Award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2019.
A ceremony will be held at the Tower of London later this month where the winners will be named.
The awards are back for their seventh year and will recognise the outstanding achievements of the volunteers, fundraisers, and campaigners who help the pioneering blood cancer charity save lives.
Chris’s nomination is in recognition of his writing on the charity’s work, and in particular, on Anthony Nolan bone marrow donor and Scottish football star Colin MacRae.
This story followed the Highland League footballer who was due to go under the knife in a potentially lifesaving transplant for a cancer victim- on his 21st birthday.
Chris said: “Colin’s story inspired so many and seen a significant rise in the number of potential new donors signing up to the list, myself included.
“Seeing the effect Colin telling his story had on so many really did drive home the power of the media, and just why I am proud to be involved in this industry because at times we deliver the changes so many seek.”
At every available opportunity, Chris has incorporated Anthony Nolan into his work, particularly stories which include a call to sign up to the register, where patients in need of a stem cell transplant have a chance at find a life-saving donor.
On the back of his coverage in collaboration with Anthony Nolan, an additional 117 people signed up to the register.
On his nomination, Chris said: “It’s truly humbling to be nominated for an Anthony Nolan Supporter Award. Initially I was quite shocked to receive notification of my nomination, but it’s always nice to receive recognition, especially when it’s for such a worthwhile cause.
“I have always said the story is not mine and always belonged to Colin, one of the many volunteer donors who do incredible work to help give others a second chance.”
Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “Chris has raised the profile of altruistic stem cell donation by sharing Colin’s story and has inspired others to support our work.”
