'Selfless' PC Luke Bugdol could be a lifesaver with bone marrow operation

PC Luke Bugdol (35), who is part of the Central Rotherham Neighbourhood Policing Team, donated his bone marrow today (Monday) to someone with blood cancer - and urged others to join the register.

Every 20 minutes somebody in the UK is diagnosed with a blood cancer such a leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma and only around 30 per cent of those find a match within their own families.

But thanks to donors such as PC Bugdol, who register with charities linked to the British Bone Marrow Registry, some patients find a potentially life-saving match outside of their family.

PC Bugdol following his bone marrow operation this morning.

PC Bugdol, of Rotherham, said he first thought about becoming a bone marrow donor two years ago after he attended an incident with a colleague.

After the incident they began talking about joining the bone marrow register.

PC Budgol said: “After that conversation, without hesitation, at the end of my shift, I went home and registered to become a donor.

“It wasn’t something I had thought about before.

“Registering was really easy — I registered online and was sent a ‘swab’ kit.

“I swabbed the inside of my mouth and send it back in a pre-paid envelope. It was as easy as that.”

PC Bugdol during the operation to extract stem cells from his bone marrow.

Two years later, he received a telephone call saying he was a match to somebody in need.

He immediately said he would help.

PC Bugdol underwent his operation this morning at a private hospital in London.

He was put under general anaesthetic while surgeons drilled into his bone to extract vital stem cells.

After the operation, PC Bugdol said: "I instantly felt great knowing I have helped a total stranger."

PC Bugdol is expected to be fit and well again within a few weeks.

The details of PC Budgol’s donation remain anonymous, but if successful, he will be given the opportunity to meet the recipient, if they agree.

PC Budgol said he urged anybody who had considered becoming a donor to sign up.

He added: “To be able to do this for somebody is a privilege.

“To be somebody’s match could be a one in a million chance - you could be that one person that makes all the difference.”

Insp Jenny Lax, of Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I am so proud of Luke for this selfless act.

“He is a caring, compassionate officer, and his passion to help people is reflected in his anonymous donation.”

PC Budgol is registered with charity DKMS (We Delete Blood Cancer), one of the organisations linked to the British Bone Marrow Registry.

People aged 16 to 30 can sign up with Anthony Nolan and those up to age of 55 can register with DKMS.

More information can be found by visiting the NHS Blood and Transplant website.