Racing for a match
‘Rising star’ racing driver calls for more donors after dad’s leukaemia diagnosis
On the surface, Nathan, 17, seems to have been living the dream for the past couple of years. The sixth form student rose up the ranks in the very competitive ‘dominant online sim car’ racing community, winning several Perfect Acceleration Sim Racing (PASR) series which were streamed on YouTube. He then graduated to ‘real world’ driving, and remarkably he won his first ever race at Oulton Park in April, and has gone on to win a number of races since.
But behind the scenes, Nathan’s father Andy has been having chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. Andy, who works in cyber security, first fell ill with flu-like symptoms whilst taking Nathan to a scholarship race in Doncaster, and was diagnosed in February 2024. He spent most of the year in hospital in Liverpool – where one comfort was being able to watch Nathan racing via YouTube.
Supporting each other
“The leukaemia diagnosis was a nightmare – we are a close family and I had to tell the boys alone,” remembers Sarah, Nathan’s mum.
With support from the racing community, the Williams family, which also includes Nathan’s 14 year old younger brother Zach, pulled together. Andy initially went into remission, but unfortunately relapsed earlier this year.
Now, doctors have said that he needs a stem cell transplant, which is planned for September. Unfortunately, none of the Williams’ are a match, so Andy is relying on a stranger on the stem cell register to give him a second chance.
Driving for registrations
Now the family are working with DKMS to encourage more people to join the stem cell register. Nathan’s car for the OT Coupe series is proudly emblazoned with the DKMS logo. The family hope it will act as a conversation-starter that will encourage people in the racing community and beyond to sign up as potential stem cell donors. You can find out where to see Nathan in his DKMS car on his website here.
“I first heard about DKMS when my dad was having his initial treatment – my Mum had signed up to the register as she wanted to be able to support other people going through what we were as a family. Prior to this we never knew that 9 times out of 10 donating stem cells is a similar process to giving blood.” explains Nathan.
“When I was given the chance to race in the OT Coupe Cup and was able to put my own design on the car we decided that we could use it as an opportunity to raise awareness of DKMS and encourage other people to sign up as potential stem cell donors. I hope that promoting DKMS on my car will help my dad and others who’ve been diagnosed with a blood cancer or other blood disorders, to find their stem cell match. This is my way of giving back for all the treatment and care that my dad, who is my biggest supporter, has received.”
You can support Nathan in his campaign to get more donors on the register by signing up here.
