Jay's dad, Chris O'Connell, is a serving police officer in Lancashire Constabulary, who is currently on palliative care after many years of battling lymphoma cancer.
Jay explains, "Dad absolutely loves his job and despite everything going on, he’s still working when he can. He’s very much a part of our police family.
“A few years ago, he required a stem cell transplant, but there were no matches on the donor register. I was approached by the transplant team to see if I could be a match for my dad, and after a number of tests, they said that the transplant could work.
“The transplant gave my dad extra years of good quality life before unfortunately his cancer returned, and he was given a terminal prognosis. He now wishes to raise as much money as he possibly can for The Christie Hospital for all the treatment and support that he has had since being there.
“One of the ideas that came up was a charity sky dive, which dad was desperate to do, however, as he is too unwell, he has now ‘thrown me under the bus’ and I am going to do it on his behalf!"
The date for the dive is Saturday 21 September at Black Knights Sky Dive Centre and you can sponsor Jay via Just Giving using this link - Donation link to Just Giving
Registering for stem cell donation
Following his father’s experience as a recipient of a stem cell transplant, PS O’Connell is a passionate advocate for stem cell donation.
He explained: “I would also like to try and raise awareness for DKMS and Anthony Nolan – charities that encourage people to register on the Stem Cell donor register. Once you’ve registered, a pack is sent to your home address and you do a mouth swab, return it in the post and you are all signed up!
“Donating is very simple, just like giving blood, but a more prolonged process. It’s pain free and could ultimately give people extra years to live, if not save their life completely!”
Find out more about stem cell donation here: