Local MP Mark Tami honoured with lifetime award for stem cell advocacy

A local MP is honoured to have received a lifetime achievement award for his work supporting a leading stem cell charity.

Anthony Nolan recently bestowed Mark Tami with the award in recognition of more than 10 years’ work as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies (APPG on SCTACT).

Mr Tami recently stepped down as chair of the committee after being made a Government minister, as Parliamentary rules prohibit members of the Government from sitting on APPGs.

The award was inscribed: “Presented to The Rt Hon Mark Tami in appreciation and recognition of over 10 years of exceptional dedication to being an advocate for stem cell transplant patients and families at the highest level of policymaking and in Parliament.”

In his time as chair, he led discussions between MPs, the NHS and other public bodies, and people with direct experience of stem cell transplant, CAR-T cell therapy and similar treatments.

Recent campaigns Mr Tami championed as chair included advocating for greater support for stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients struggling with the cost-of-living, raising awareness of the potential for cell and gene therapies for sickle cell patients, and highlighting the importance of psychological support for these patients before, during and after treatment.

As a cross-party group, these campaigns often managed to garner the support of elected representatives across the political divide with productive discussions taking place in the media, at public roundtables, MP drop-in events and even on the floor of the House of Commons when Mark led an adjournment debate on the APPG’s cost-of-living campaign.

Anthony Nolan is a charity very close to Mr Tami’s heart since his son Max received a stem cell bone marrow transplant to treat his leukemia 17 years ago, aged just 10.

“Anthony Nolan’s pioneering work on Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies has helped so many families just like mine,” he said.

“I’ve been proud to contribute to the important work of this APPG and to support Anthony Nolan in as many ways as possible. It’s a real honour to receive this award and I’m very grateful.”

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan said:

“Mark has been a supporter of Anthony Nolan for over a decade and we are immensely grateful for his advocacy on behalf of patients and families in that time.

“He launched and chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Stem Cell Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapies from 2011 to 2024, tirelessly giving his time and energy to help secure policies that support stem cell transplant patients and their families.

“He was instrumental in helping ensure patients could access second transplants back in 2012, and has consistently championed the need for practical and emotional support for anyone experiencing transplant or related treatment.

“It has meant so much to our patients and their loved ones to know that they have such a dedicated champion in Parliament.”