Wolves' Carl Ikeme thanks fans for support after leukaemia diagnosis
Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has thanked fans for their support in his leukaemia fight – and urged donors to come forward and help those with the disease.
Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia last month. The football world has united in a show of support for the 31-year-old and a host of fundraising activities are taking place to raise money for Cure Leukaemia, who've been working closely with Wolves.
A new initiative has been launched today in which fans are being encouraged to pay £20 to have their name included on a special commemorative shirt to raise money and support Ikeme.
It's called 'Donate Your Name' and will see 1,000 names included on the design.
In the first statement he's released since being diagnosed, Ikeme said: "I want to thank the whole football world and especially the Wolves fans for the love and support I have received since I was diagnosed with leukaemia.
"It has been a huge shock for myself and my family but I am determined to beat this and I know that the support everyone has shown me will help me do just that.
“I’d also like to thank Cure Leukaemia for their support and I think the ‘Donate Your Name’ idea will be a great way to raise funds and awareness for this disease."
Nigerian international Ikeme also urged donors to come forward and join the stem cell transplantation register.
He added: “As a man of Nigerian descent I am also passionate about urging people from ethnic minority backgrounds to join the stem cell transplantation register.
“More awareness is needed of the shortage of ethnic minority donors currently on the register and I am keen to make an impact to change that.
“But I also think we need more donors from all backgrounds to come forward as I am learning more and more how vitally important it is for when someone needs a transplant.
“I am already planning ways to try and raise awareness and to focus more activity around encouraging donors from all backgrounds to come forward at a Wolves fixture in the near future."
Cure Leukaemia will have a major presence at a sold out Molineux tomorrow for Wolves' first game of the season against Middlesbrough.
The recent leukaemia diagnosis of Boro’s academy player Anthony Renton has given the charity’s presence added importance on the day.
Former Wolves midfielder Geoff Thomas survived leukaemia and is a patron of the charity. He's been in touch with Ikeme in recent weeks to offer his advice and support.
Thomas said: "I was riding the Tour de France to raise funds for Cure Leukaemia when I heard the news about Carl.
"I’d had a bad day on the bike and I wasn’t in a great place mentally. When I heard about Carl it was like a slap across the face because all of the memories of my diagnosis in 2003 came flooding back. It is a battle but I am sure Carl will have the mental and physical strength to beat this disease.”
“It is great to see how the club and all of the fans have rallied in support of Carl. Every penny raised will go towards Cure Leukaemia’s £1million appeal to fund the expansion of the Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
"This centre is leading the global fight against this disease and it will not only directly save more lives but it will also hasten progress towards eradicating this terrible disease within 25 years.”
To get involved in the Donate Your Name scheme visit www.donateyourname.co.uk. UK taxpayers are encouraged to claim gift aid on their donation to ensure the charity can claim an additional 25 per cent for each donation.
More details on the awareness activity at a future fixture will be announced over the coming weeks. For more information about becoming a donor visit www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/british-bone-marrow-registry/how-can-i-help/
