Donors could halp save my husband (From Stroud News and Journal)

Donors could halp save my husband

THE WIFE of a young cancer sufferer fighting for life has made a desperate plea for more bone marrow donors to help save him and others like him.

Since doctors gave Avening's Sean Sadler, 39, up to two years to live last October the race has been on to find a suitable donor to give him another chance at life.

The donor bid comes after the failure of all other treatments, including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

His wife Pat said: "The more donors there are the greater the chance of finding a match not just for Sean but for all patients who need a bone marrow transplant."

Family hopes were raised at the end of last year when potential matches were found in Germany and America but sadly they were not close enough.

Mr Sadler, whose father died of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma aged just 47, was diagnosed five years ago in a heart-breaking family double.

The cancer attacks the lymphatic system, which protects the body against infections and foreign material, and is the seventh most common form of the disease in men, with 4,900 new cases each year.

David Chandler, of the National Blood Service, which runs the British Bone Marrow Register, said: "We want to encourage more people to think of the difference they could make by become a bone marrow donor.

"Helping us to save the lives of sick and injured patients really is giving someone in need the greatest gift - the gift of life."

For more information about joining the register and giving blood call 0845 7711711 or visit website www.blood.co.uk