The step-father of former leukaemia sufferer Daniel De-Gale has been recognised for his services to healthcare in the Queen’s New Year’s 2012 Honours List.
Orin Cadogan-Lewis, co-founder of leading UK Leukaemia charity, African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), is awarded with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary.
Orin said: “I feel extremely honoured, and accept it on behalf of my children, family, and everyone associated with the life saving work of the ACLT. Having recruited tens of thousands of new bone marrow, blood and organ donors from the hardest to reach communities and in turn directly saving lives in the UK and abroad, it does fill me with joy that our efforts have this year been recognised.” His partner Beverley De-Gale, was also awarded an O.B.E. for services to Healthcare in October 2011.
The ACLT was established in 1996 by Beverley and Orin’s when their son Daniel De-Gale needed to find a racially-matched bone marrow donor to treat his leukaemia. Daniel received a bone marrow transplant, but later died at the age of 21 due to complications with his health.
Now, over 15 years later, the compassionate, educational and life-changing work of the ACLT has been twice recognised by the highest authority in the country. Orin adds: “It fills our hearts that we know Daniel will be looking down on us both, punching his fist happily in the air.”
One year ago a shortfall in funding meant the charity was under threat of imminent closure. Following a successful appeal where over £120,000 was raised by the general public between January – March 2011, the short to medium future of the charity has been secured.
