Leukaemia & Health Links

MY LEUKAEMIA FIGHT (BY MARK SMITH)

I am a survivor of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, in no small part due to the tireless efforts of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust in locating, not one but two compatible donors for my two bone marrow transplants and the fact that I was treated at Hammersmith Hospital, in London, by the leading authority on Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, namely Prof. John Goldman.

The Trust has built up a register of nearly 300,000 potential donors and I would urge you to consider becoming a donor. To register all you will require is a simple blood test And will have to be between the ages of 18 & 40 (although after 40 you remain the register until your middle 50's). This is done at your local surgery from a pack sent out by the Trust. Then in the future, if matched with a patient you will be asked to spend a couple of days in hospital, so bone marrow can be harvested from your hip bone. This process is done under general anaesthetic, with a needle inserted into the centre of the bone to draw out the bone marrow (which looks like blood, but has a thicker consistency). The only side effect of the procedure will be slight tenderness around the area of the harvest. A small price to pay in the knowledge that you may be saving someone's life! Find out how you can become a life saving Bone Marrow Donor by clicking here.

For the patient a bone marrow transplant simply involves conditioning, through chemotherapy &/or radiotherapy, to kill off the diseased bone marrow and then the donated bone marrow is introduced into the patients body in the manner of a blood transfusion. This will then engraft itself and over time will begin producing healthy blood cells, free of the Leukaemia cells. At least that's the theory. It failed for me with my first transplant in 1993, but was successful with my second transplant in 1996. It does however irritate me that the press refer to bone marrow transplants as operations, because I believe this puts people off from becoming potential donors, and as you can tell from the foregoing that this is not the case!

About 4000 people are diagnosed with Leukaemia each year and the Anthony Nolan Trust manage to match about 300 patients and donors a year, so please consider becoming a donor, as it can be very rewarding. For example, two years after the successful transplant the donor and the recipient are allowed to meet. In fact, I have been very lucky in that I have meet both of my donors, to whom I will be eternally grateful for their selfless acts of kindness in donating their bone marrow. (For more details about me, please visit my homepage or see my story on the C.M.L. Support Website, along with the moving & inspiring stories of fellow sufferers). 

I am involved in raising money & the profile of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, & I would urge you to support national & local events. In, fact the local fundraiser is Bronwen Nicholls who can be contacted at bronwen.nicholls@anthonynolan.org.uk. 

Sadly, Shirley Nolan (mother of Anthony) passed away in July 2002 and it is certainly the case that without her tireless work in setting up the Trust in the 1970's, I would not be here today. I was actually contacted by the Sun Newspaper to pay tribute to Shirley Nolan on 16th July, 2002 and the next day the paper carried an article, including my heartfelt tribute. You can view this article by clicking here.

I also support the work of the Leukaemia Care Society.

Increasingly, Leukaemia sufferers are using websites to publicize their search for compatible donors and I would direct you to visit the site of  the U.S. Rapper Nelly's sister, Jackie Donahue. Although her brother launched a nationwide campaign in the States to recruit bone marrow and stem cell donors she sadly died. This highlights the fact that donors from the ethnic minorities are desperately need worldwide and in the UK. 

Can you help?

Do you know anyone-

• Of Italian, Greek or Mediterranean background

•  In good health?

• Aged between 18-40?

• Weigh over 8 stone? 

• If so, Jeanette desperately needs your help

Jeanette, who teaches in Bedford, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in October 2005. The condition is now quite advanced. Although she has undergone chemotherapy and receives regular transfusions, a bone marrow transplant is now urgently required. 

Unfortunately, the hospital has been unable to find a donor with a suitable tissue match, even after accessing the registered international panel which includes the USA. The main problem is that, due to Jeanette’s background being mainly Mediterranean, it seems that there are very few people with her tissue type who have been registered as donors. The total number of donors in the UK who have a Mediterranean background amounts to just 3,069 i.e. less than 1% of the UK registered total. 

How can you help? 

Initially, all you need to do is give a small blood sample. 

For further details please ring: 01234 362271

Or contact: prepinfo@bedfordschool.org.uk

Leukaemia can affect anybody; imagine how desperate you would feel if this was someone who was in your family?

If you are unable to help yourself, please pass on this information to someone who can.

I have become aware over time that fellow sufferers require up to date information on the latest advances in combating Leukaemia and cancer; I have therefore compiled the following list. In particular I would draw your attention to the new drug Glivec (formerly known as STI 571) , which is currently having promising results. I have also compiled a list of more general health related websites, which may also be of interest to the wider public: -

Do You have a Long Term Illness or Condition?

Well the Pioneer Group - a New Group Run by People in similar situations who want to be able to help themselves - can help you!

This Group gives you a chance to talk in an informal and friendly atmosphere. They will help you get your confidence back and allow you to air your frustrations!

The Pioneer Group get together socially for talks from guest speakers. If you are interested get in contact with Mike Marshall on 07884468507 or e-mail: thepioneergroup@hotmail.com. 

Visit the Pioneer Group Website at www.thepioneergroup.ik.com 

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