A 4-year-old from Harrow who’s searching for a stem cell donor is set to be honoured by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, at a digital awards celebration.
Veer Gudhka has been shortlisted for the John Petchey Young Hero of the Year at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2020. Additionally, his friends and family who launched the Help Veer Now campaign last year, have been nominated for the charity’s Minority Ethnic Advocate of the year award.
Veer Gudhka is one of only a few hundred people in the UK to have inherited a life changing illness called Fanconi Anaemia which results in a decreased production of all types of blood cells. His best hope of survival is through a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. Last year, Veer’s family launched the Help Veer Now campaign, to encourage more people of Asian descent to sign up as stem cell donors.
The Help Veer Now Campaign has recruited over 1200 people to the register through a combination of events and online recruitment. A huge 76% of these new recruits were from a minority ethnic background.
March’s lockdown didn't stop the campaign and with an event planned, Help Veer Now adapted to a virtual format, raising both funds for Anthony Nolan and awareness of stem cell donation within the British Indian community. To date Veer and his family have raised £12,098. Anthony Nolan is the charity that finds matching stem cell donors for people with blood cancer and blood disorders and gives them a second chance at life.
Additionally, Veer's father, Nirav has co-authored a children's book, with publisher The Jai Jais. The book, entitled Mahavir, is dedicated to young Veer and a percentage of the sale of every book is being donated to Anthony Nolan.
Nirav Gudhka, Veer’s father, said, “We are so touched to be shortlisted for our award category. We had a very busy year of campaigning last year, and this recognition put a big smile on our faces.
“It’s also very ironic that Veer has been searching for his superhero but is being recognised as a hero himself.”
All winners will be revealed at 7pm on Thursday 11th February.
