Asda Westwood support Eimear’s Wish to raise awareness of stem cell donations

A big thank you to all the generous customers and colleagues who helped our Balfast Westwood store raise more than £1,200 for Eimear's Wish, a charity raising the importance of finding more stem cell donors.

Eimear’s Wish was founded by Sean Smyth after his daughter Eimear was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in September 2016, at just 22 years old. As a result, Eimear and her father began an appeal for an increase in stem cell donors, who are needed to allow for treatment. Eimear was successful in finding a donor but tragically died just three years later due to complications from the transplant.

The Asda Westwood team came together to support the charity through a range of activities including a ballot in store, offering customers donuts as well as selling Eimear’s Wish merchandise to raise vital funds for the charity.

Sean said: “We want to say a huge thank you to all of the colleagues and customers of Asda Westwood for hosting our awareness day in store. We had a ball and loved meeting all of the incredible customers who were so generous.

“More importantly, Asda has helped us make a difference to the lives of more families. There was one particular customer who didn’t know about the help and support for those going through treatment and we were able to give them all of the information they needed. This wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have the opportunity to meet people here today. We are so grateful to Asda for the support and helping us continue to do what we do.”

Jane Keating, community champion at Asda Westwood, said: "We were delighted to support Eimear’s Wish, a charity very close to our hearts. We had a great day raising awareness and vital funds for the charity. Our customers are always very generous, and this cause is well known in the community, with a few of our regular customers having went through a similar experience.

“It was a really helpful day for customers too, as Sean was able to signpost them to get support or find out more about stem cell donations. Quite a few of our colleagues have already signed up to become a donor and we’re delighted to be able to continue to support Sean and this worthy charity.”

To find out more about Eimear’s Wish, visit: www.eimearswish.org