JAKARTA - A football fan gave his ticket to watch England's Euro 2020 semi-final match against Denmark at Wembley Stadium, London, as it coincided with his plan to donate stem cells.
Sam Astley and his girlfriend had actually won tickets for Wednesday's game via last minute competition. However Astley was unable to attend because he had signed up to be a donor six weeks earlier.
Astley told the BBC that there was "no possibility" that she would delay the procedure. He even chose to watch the game from his hospital bed.
His actions received high praise from football legend Gary Lineker and the blood cancer charity, the Anthony Nolan Trust, who described him as a "hero".
Amazing. Can you help @FA @England? https://t.co/qFEPlBqf09
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 8, 2021
"British heroes were not only on the pitch last night, but in the form of our hero @samastley1 who gave up attending the semifinals to save someone's life by donating his cell to a patient," said Terence Lovell, the trust's chief engagement officer, who also tagged Astley in a tweet.
Not long ago, Vivo as the sponsor of Euro 2020 announced that it would give tickets to the final of the tournament to Astley and her boyfriend.
In a post on Twitter, the smartphone manufacturer said: “We saw this and wanted to help Sam get to the final on Sunday. Sam deserves to be in that game and we want to make that happen!”
England beat Denmark 2-1 in Wednesday's clash after captain Harry Kane scored the winner in extra time, earning the squad a place in the tournament final. It is the first time England have reached the final of an international tournament since 1966.
Hi @samastley1_ and @gemmapeters We saw this and would like to help Sam go to the final on Sunday. Sam deserves to be at the game and we want to make it happen! #ToPerfectMoments cc. @GMB @AnthonyNolan @GaryLineker @SimonThomasTV @campbellclaret @StourbridgeNews https://t.co/L0BoNihH2G
— vivo Europe (@vivo_europe) July 8, 2021
According to Stourbridge News, Astley signed up to make a donation six weeks ago during a soccer tournament hosted by her boyfriend's friend, Simon Wilkes.
“Simon himself has blood cancer so [he] invited Anthony Nolan to a charity event and encouraged as many people as possible to sign up for the list,” Astley said.
Stem cells are donated in two possible ways, either from blood or bone marrow. Astley underwent a procedure that removed cells from the bone marrow in her hip bone.
Removal is carried out using a needle and syringe under general anesthesia. Most donors have to stay in the hospital for up to 48 hours after the procedure, and recovery can take up to five days. Could Astley be at the stadium?
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