AN ARBROATH soldier was given special permission whilst serving in Iraq to interrupt his tour and return to the UK to become a bone marrow donor.

Tank crewman Lance Corporal Marc Munro (24), who serves with Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, was in the middle of a six-month tour when he got the call that he was a positive match for someone who was in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant.

And despite having to leave his important post as a Challenger 2 tank crewman near Basra, his commanding officers were in no doubt as to the importance of getting Marc back to the UK as quickly as possible to make the donation.

“They don’t let people go easily when you’re on tour in Iraq, but my bosses were incredibly supportive,” said Marc, a former Arbroath High School pupil who joined the army in 2000.

“Within four hours they cleared it and within a week they flew me back to London.”

Marc was invited to donate some of his bone marrow after he joined the Anthony Nolan Trust’s bone marrow register three years ago when the charity held a clinic at his barracks in Germany in an attempt to find positive bone marrow matches to help people suffering from leukaemia.

The trust is now planning to hold another clinic in Germany early next year.

“I was on my third tour in Iraq when I got the call to say I was definitely a match for someone,” continued Marc.

“I felt so lucky and privileged. It’s really tough being in Iraq—getting cracking good news like that makes a massive difference.”

He added, “I landed in London last month, donated the bone marrow and was back home in Germany within two days and I felt completely fine.

“The most amazing thing is that you know your bone marrow is going straight off to someone who urgently needs it. You know you’re potentially saving a life.”

Alex Frazier, senior communications officer at the Anthony Nolan Trust said, “We are delighted that Marc rushed home from Basra to donate his bone marrow to a stranger.

“It is an incredible gift to save someone’s life. The problem the charity faces is there are just not enough individuals like Marc registered.

“For many patients in need of a transplant the chance of finding a suitable donor can be slim and their time is rapidly running out.”

Marc added, “My mates thought it was a really good thing—they were all very happy for me. My family was really supportive, although my granny was quite worried.”

Anyone interested in joining the Anthony Nolan Trust’s bone marrow register can call 020 7284 1234 or visit www.anthonynolan. org.uk.