Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
It comes as more men from the black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds between the ages of 16-30 are being encouraged to sign-up.
It was held for MSPs across all parties to celebrate the number of potential stem cell donors.
In Banffshire and Buchan Coast, 1159 potential stem cell donors are registered with Anthony Nolan.
29% of these donors are male, and the average age is 32-years-old.
In total, more than 700,000 people in the UK are on the Anthony Nolan register, any of whom could be a match for someone with blood cancer and asked to donate their stem cells to give a patient a second chance of life.
Now, Stewart Stevenson MSP is encouraging more people from Banffshire and Buchan Coast, to register as stem cell donors and make sure that a match is available for everyone in need of a transplant.
While anyone on the register could match for someone with blood cancer, men aged 16-30 are most likely to be asked to donate.
They provide more than 50% of donations yet make up just 16% of the register.
There is also a shortage of donors from non-white and mixed-race backgrounds.
Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:
“I am very proud that Banffshire and Buchan Coast has 1159 people who have selflessly volunteered to give someone a second chance at life.
“Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.
“I strongly hope that more people from our community will be inspired to sign-up and show that together, we can provide a cure for blood cancer.”
“Donating stem cells is straightforward but it could make an enormous difference to someone with no other chance of a cure.
“I strongly hope that more people from our community will be inspired to sign-up and show that together, we can provide a cure for blood cancer.”
Henry Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “Since 1974 thousands of caring, selfless people have joined the Anthony Nolan register and thousands of lives have been saved as a result.
“This Blood Cancer Awareness Month residents can be proud of all the lifesavers in your community. It’s wonderful to have the support of Banffshire and Buchan Coast in achieving our goal of saving and improving the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.”
