I had been on the Anthony Nolan register since watching the TV programme That's Life in the late 1980s. I did get called once to say I was a close match for someone. After doing more blood tests, I wasn't the best match for the individual. Little did I know, the register would become an important part of my life in another way.
In 2018, my husband David was diagnosed with AML whilst we were on holiday in Australia. We ended up staying nearly 10 weeks as he had his first round of chemotherapy at the hospital in Brisbane. The hospital staff were fantastic (we are still in contact with a few of them and went back last year to see them). They liaised with Nottingham City Hospital to transfer David's care on our return to the UK and NCH flew a paramedic out to accompany us on the flights home.
David received six rounds of chemotherapy and at some point, we were told by the consultant that David needed a stem cell transplant. They started looking for a donor, as David doesn't have any siblings. It was a nervous time as I knew that not everyone is lucky enough to find a match, but I didn't mention this to David. There then followed what seemed like a long wait to see if a match could be found.
A second chance
I recall being in David's room when the consultant told us that a match had been found, and being overcome with emotion. I think David was too poorly to take in much of what was happening.
There were several bumps in the road before David had the transplant as he struggled with infection. We were all hoping that he would be strong enough to have the transplant. Finally, in December 2018, he had the transplant. I think there was a sense of both elation that he had finally been considered strong enough to have it, and a mix of fear / hope about whether it would work. It was a very emotional time. David is now doing well, and we have been fortunate to our Anthony Nolan Clinical Specialist Nurse with us throughout our journey, and she has been a great support to both David and myself.
All we know about our donor is that he is male and German. We did write an anonymised letter of thanks, but we have never received a reply. We respect his wishes to remain anonymous, but we would both have dearly loved to personally thank him for giving David a chance of life. However, on each anniversary of David's transplant, we remember our donor and for that entire day we eat German food in his honour.
Giving back
The following year, I ran the Great North Run for Anthony Nolan charity as I desperately wanted to give something back to the charity who had found our life saving donor. The atmosphere and support was absolutely amazing. After finishing the run, I went to the Anthony Nolan tent, and it was so emotional as there were individuals who had run alongside their donors.
When I saw a post on Anthony Nolan’s Instagram about donating stem cells for research, I was immediately interested. I was very keen to donate as a way of giving something back. I have always hoped that I may be a donor for someone, but as I will come off the register this August when I'm 61, I realise that it is now unlikely. So, I saw this as an opportunity to give something back to a charity that allowed David a second chance. In essence, I wouldn't have my husband if the charity hadn't found him a donor.
I did wonder if, at aged 60, I would be too old to be considered. I enquired and I was delighted to be chosen for a research programme! I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement about the experience but it went very smoothly, and I was well cared for. By donating to this research programme, I feel I have made a difference and it's my hope that more individuals and their families will benefit from it in years to come.
If you would like to learn more about donating your stem cells for medical research, you can read more on our information page.