Labour MP for Alyn and Deeside, Mark Tami, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the stem cell charity Anthony Nolan.

The charity acknowledged more than a decade of his 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 from this role after being made a Government minister, as Parliamentary rules prohibit Government members 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."

As chair, Mr Tami led discussions between MPs, the NHS, other public bodies, and people with direct experience of stem cell transplant, CAR-T cell therapy, and similar treatments.

He championed campaigns for greater support for stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy patients struggling with the cost-of-living, raised awareness of the potential for cell and gene therapies for sickle cell patients, and highlighted the importance of psychological support for these patients before, during, and after treatment.

Mr Tami's efforts often gained cross-party support, leading to productive discussions in the media, public roundtables, MP drop-in events, and even on the floor of the House of Commons.

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, Mark Tami MP and event host Joe Crowley, a TV presenter and longstanding supporter of the charity.     (Image: Supplied)

Anthony Nolan holds a special place in Mr Tami’s heart, as the charity played a crucial role when his son Max received a stem cell bone marrow transplant to treat his leukaemia 17 years ago, at the age of 10.

Mr Tami said: "Anthony Nolan’s pioneering work on stem cell transplantation and advanced cellular therapies has helped so many families just like mine.

"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."

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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."