Community Life

Daniel 'the music man'

21 year old Daniel was the inspiration behind the establishment of one of Britain’s most well known and respected black charities - The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT).

The Croydon based trust was founded in 1996 by Daniel’s mother and step-father Beverley de Gale and Orin Lewis following Daniel’s diagnosis with leukaemia.

As a black child, his family found there was only a 3% chance of finding a suitable donor on the national bone marrow register. 

This gave Daniel the staggering odds of 1 in 100,000 chance of finding a suitable donor.  If he had been white, he would have had a 1 in 5 chance of finding a successful match.

This motivated his family to begin one of the country’s most inspirational campaigns. 

The ACLT set out 12 years ago to substantially increase the numbers of black and minority ethnic donors on the bone marrow register.  Today, thanks to their efforts, there are over 20,000 potential black and minority donors on the register and dozens of lives have been saved.

Daniel with mum and dad

After six years fighting, Daniel won his battle against the disease when a suitable match was found in the USA for him in 1999.  Daniel went on to become a successful, bright, intelligent young man.

Tragically, due to complications in his health, in a statement the ACLT announced his sad passing: 

“It is with the deepest regret that I write to advise you that after a brave fight with an illness not related to his cancer Daniel passed away.”

Beverley said:  "We are very grateful for all the love, support, kindness, generosity, dedications and concern that you all have shown for our beautiful son.  However, we ask that you please do not send us any flowers but instead continue to support the charity as this is what Daniel would have wanted, so that we can keep helping to give others the gift of life"

Tributes have been coming in since this announcement was made.  The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust worked closely with the ACLT. Its Operations Director, Dr Ann-Margaret Little said:

“It’s so distressing to learn of Daniel’s death. He was an inspiration for our work in partnership with Beverley and Orin, and the ACLT. Daniel helped motivate hundreds of individuals, particularly from minority populations, to join The Anthony Nolan Trust’s bone marrow register. Many of these donors will go on to provide life-saving transplants for patients throughout the world.”

Loretta Thomas is the mother of 20-month-old Damario.  Damario recently received a suitable bone marrow thanks to the work of the ACLT.  Loretta pays tribute to the family without whom she said, her son may not have been here today. 

“My deepest sympathy goes out to the family.  Words cannot express my gratitude for all they have done for me and my family.”

“Daniel was a positive and inspirational young man who inspired me throughout Damario’s illness.  Whenever I saw how well he [Daniel] was doing, it really gave me hope”.

For information on how you can support the charity, or become a bone marrow donor, visit the website top right of this page or call 0208 240 4480.

Your Views

I was shocked and devastated to learn about Daniel's death on my way to work at a charity event last week. He was an absolute inspiration and it is beyond comprehension how the world can be denied the impact of a truly great person at such a young age.

I'm a 22 year old girl who had the enormous pleasure of working with Daniel and his family at a number of ACLT events. Having worked in fundraising for hundreds of charities I can honestly say that the ACLT organisation and achievements far surpass most other causes. My positive impression of the charity is of course in part due to the work of Daniel as well as his family.

Daniel was a true inspiration and a fabulous public speaker. The phrase 'speaking from the heart' is used far too often but this is something that Daniel had a true gift for. His appeals at the ACLT balls' left me and many others in tears. His words made so much sense. His emotion was so real. His warmth, passion and honesty empowered the whole room. This guy made me want to do something.

In words I can only say that my thoughts are with the whole family at this sad time. But in actions I can do so much more. I will go on telling everybody about this fantastic cause and spreading the ACLT message. I just hope others will continue to do the same now that we are left alone to carry on Daniel's great work.

Danielle Holmes

Just to say that I appreciate your coverage on Daniel De Gale who sadly passed away last week. He was a great campaigner for the cause and will be greatly missed. I thank you for highlighting this important issue of donating blood and bone marrow transplants. My hope is that your coverage will have started a chain reaction in the public to consider being part of such a great charity  - ACLT.

Many, many thanks

Sharron Pierre

Keep your tributes and condolences coming in email me evadney.campbell@bbc.co.uk