Henny Braund, chief executive of the Anthony Nolan Trust heaped praise on the brave two-year-old after she lost her battle with the disease
The boss of the Anthony Nolan Trust paid tribute to Margot Martini and revealed how the brave toddler inspired "tens of thousands of people" to join the register.
The courageous two-year-old lost her battle against leukaemia yesterday morning, with loving parents Yaser and Vicki and her family by her side.
Henny Braund is chief executive of the trust, the UK’s blood cancer charity and bone marrow register which worked closely with the Martini family.
"Words seem inadequate to express our sadness that Margot Martini has died," he said.
"Margot was a little girl who has changed the world for many people facing blood cancer.
"She inspired tens of thousands of people to join stem cell registers in the UK and around the world, any one of whom could go on to save an individual’s life, and as a result, enrich the lives of families, relationships and communities.
“It is heartbreaking that she will not be able to see the incredible difference she has made and how many people whom she has touched in her short life.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Margot’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.”
The former Essington family had also worked with Delete Blood Cancer UK, a charity aiming to increase the pool of lifesaving blood stem cell donors.
A spokesman for the group said: “Everyone at Delete Blood Cancer UK is heartbroken at the news of the passing of Margot Martini, and we offer our condolences to her family and all her friends.
"We got to know Margot’s family shortly after her diagnosis, when we supported the appeal they launched to find a matching blood stem cell donor for Margot and all those seeking a matching donor.
“Their dedication and devotion to their beautiful little girl’s appeal touched so many hearts and led to tens of thousands of people registering as potential lifesavers. This will lead to many donors being found and lives being saved for decades to come.
“This incredible response, and their work to help all those seeking a lifesaving blood stem cell donation, has a very, very special legacy.”
Earlier this month it was announced a Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day would be held on October 7 next year - exactly two years after her diagnosis.
The event will promote awareness around the need for more potential stem cell donors to join the UK and worldwide registries, reports Birmingham Mail.
Margot’s family said they hoped more mixed race people would sign up to plug a gaping hole on the lists.
Just 60% of the 37,000 patients needing a stem cell donor worldwide receives a perfect match.
But that figure plunges to barely 20% for those from black, Asian or ethnic minority communities.
Yaser previously said: “Team Margot is committed to raising global awareness around the need for more stem cell donor recruits.
"We hope the launch of this annual international awareness day will promote greater understanding and encourage more people to register as potential stem cell and bone marrow donors.”
Vicki added: “You can save a life. And even if you don’t, you can still gift someone more time with their family and loved ones.
“We are asking people to do something amazing: register as a stem cell donor.
“If you’re ineligible to or already have, then please encourage just one more person to do the same.”
Celebrities including Stephen Hawking, Omid Djalili, Catherine Tate, Boris Becker and Bill Bryson had all given their support for Margot.
And a special video was previously recorded by her favourite TV character Peppa Pig.
The message from Peppa – voiced by 12-year-old Harley Bird – ends with the touching words “Goodnight Margot, sleep tight.”
Watch the heartfelt message from Peppa Pig below.
