The perfect match: London Broncos partner with DKMS UK

Our exciting new partnership with London Broncos, inviting rugby fans to become potential lifesavers, will kick off in earnest on Saturday 31 May, when DKMS will be holding a special stem cell donor registration event at London Broncos’ match against Widnes Vikings. Tickets are available here.

This winning partnership has been initiated by lifelong rugby league fan Andrew Foster, whose son Rycroft was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder shortly after he was born, and sadly passed away aged just 16 months in June 2023. Andrew has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the impact that the lack of a compatible stem cell donor has for people diagnosed with a blood cancer or disorders. You can find out more about Rycroft’s story here.

Remembering Ellis

The partnership will also remember Ellis Joseph – Ellis’ story shows how this need for more potential donors has had a huge impact on the rugby community. Ellis, a talented player for Old Redcliffians RFC in Bristol, and of dual White and African Caribbean heritage, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2024. Patients from UK ethnic minority and mixed heritages who need a stem cell transplant will face longer waits to find a compatible donor, because these communities currently make up just 16% of the UK stem cell donor register. After he was diagnosed, Ellis became the focus of a major #TryForEllis campaign to find a compatible donor for him and others needing stem cell transplants, which saw over 1,000 people join the register. Tragically however, Ellis died on 7 February 2025, aged just 27 years, before a matching donor could be found.

Ellis’ mother, Clare says “If more people, especially from backgrounds like Ellis’, joined the register, he might still be with us today. Joining the register is so simple, and each new person who joins offers hope to blood cancer patients everywhere of finding their match.”

Rallying rugby fans

On 31 May, DKMS volunteers will be at the London Broncos match, ready to join supporters onto the register and answer any questions about stem cell donation and transplantation. For patients with blood cancer or blood disorders, every person joining the register could be the person that they have been waiting for – a compatible stem cell donor match, able to give them a second chance at life.

Jason Loubser, Chief Executive for London Broncos says: “The whole London Broncos community was really moved by Andrew’s story/campaign. Inspired by him, we’re so proud to have partnered with DKMS to raise awareness about the life-saving potential of stem cell donation. Our support for DKMS will be ongoing, including fundraising for their vital work, but I’d like to start inviting everyone coming to the Cherry Red Records Stadium on 31 May to look out for DKMS and join the stem cell donor register with them. It could be the first step to offering someone searching for a compatible donor a second chance at life.”

Peter McLeave, DKMS UK Managing Director, says: “Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate, and as the heart-breaking stories of Rycroft and Ellis show, it doesn’t leave the rugby community untouched. We’re so grateful to Andrew and to everyone at London Broncos for their support in rallying rugby fans, irrespective of club loyalties, to become a potential stem cell donor.”