A SEARCH has started to find someone with a matching tissue-type who can donate blood stem cells to save the life of a Warrington woman.
Forty-five year old Nicola Byrnes was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia a few weeks ago.
She needs a blood stem cell donation to treat it and a matching donor is being sought for her. She is joining with the charity Delete Blood Cancer UK to urge people to come forward and register as a potential donor to see if they are a match for her or someone else in need of a blood stem cell donation.
Nicola is married to Patrick, and has two step-sons, Callum and Jonah. She works as a business analyst and is very sporty and loves nothing more than mountain-biking in North Wales.
She married Patrick in the Caribbean last year, her favourite holiday destination.
For many people with a blood cancer or blood disorder, a donation of blood stem cells from another person that enables their body to develop a healthy immune system is their best chance of staying alive. The lives of people of all ages, from newborn babies to older patients, are being saved every day as a result of this procedure.
However, many are still dying because nobody with a compatible tissue type can be found.
It doesn’t mean there is nobody with a tissue type compatible to the patient who could save their life. There could be someone with a tissue type that matches the patient’s who could save their life, but tragically, they are not registered as a potential blood stem donor. That is why Delete Blood Cancer UK works to recruit as many people as possible join the registry.
Nicola said: “Becoming a blood stem cell donor gives all of us who require a donation a second chance at life – and what could be better than saving someone’s life. Helping to save a life must be the best feeling in the world, so please consider joining the register. It takes such a short time to do, but can have a huge impact on another person’s life.”
Aga Chrosciel from Delete Blood Cancer UK, added: “Registering as a potential blood stem cell donor is so easy. It takes minutes but could lead to you saving someone’s life. Please take the time to register to help find a matching donor for Nicola and all those in need of a lifesaving blood stem cell donation.”
You can register in five minutes online and request a cheek swab kit that will enable you to do your own tissue test to become a potential blood stem cell donor through the Delete Blood Cancer UK website: www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk
