The writer John Underwood, who was recently diagnosed with cancer of the blood, has raised £34,000 for the charity Anthony Nolan since launching his JustGiving page on Monday.

Underwood’s fundraising page was popularised after an article appeared in the New Statesman.

The article had originally appeared on Underwood’s personal blog, ‘John vs. Cancer’, which documents his process and progress since the diagnosis.

In response to the flood of donations, Underwood, who is 25 years old, tweeted: “My jaw is now permanently dropped, it may require wiring.

"Surely no-one has ever had such a completely uplifting first evening of chemotherapy. I am just sitting staring at the donations list and trying not to cry. You are all incredible.”

In Underwood’s blog he tells of ignoring the warning signs and of refusing to listen to his girlfriend Ella, who suggested he may have cancer, as he believed the symptoms were part of the stress of starting a new job.

Catherine Miles, director of fundraising at Anthony Nolan, said: “‘John and Ella have made an incredible and unprecedented impact on our work over the past three days.  We’re so moved by the response they are getting and it’s been heartwarming to read through the donations from friends and strangers alike.

"It truly is a testament to how many people are behind John during this difficult time, and what an inspirational couple John and Ella are. Over 1,500 people have now donated to John’s page from 16 countries around the world.

"The money that John and Ella are raising will help us recruit many more stem cell donors, who could go on to save the life of a transplant patient."

A new fundraising goal of £50,000 has been set today.