A Stockport mother who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma last year is appealing for generous Manchester bone marrow donations with the help of a charity after she stopped responding to chemotherapy.
Nicola McCormick, 29, a neo-natal nurse was told that her best chance of survival was by a bone marrow or stem cell transplant after chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment stopped working six weeks ago.
A recruitment event for blood charity Anthony Nolan is being held at the PrintWorks on September 28 from 12-6pm in the hopes that residents will find a suitable match.
Joining the register involves filling in a form and providing a saliva sample and, in most cases, the donation procedure is similar to giving blood.
Nicola said: “The news was all good and I seemed to be improving until about six weeks ago. Suddenly everything flipped on its head – from thinking that I was going to be cured, I am now being told that there are very few treatment options left. It really has turned my world upside down.
“My three year old daughter Madeline has taken it all in her stride – she says hello to everyone in the hospital and gives me lots of cuddles. All of our friends and family have been really supportive and I’ve even had people I don’t know message me and send their best wishes.”
Nicola hopes were further dashed when her only brother was not a match for her and she will now need help from an unknown donor.
Ann O’Leary, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says, “Blood cancer can affect anyone at any time – Nicola’s story shows how important it is that we can find a donor when someone receives the news that they need a bone marrow transplant.
“We especially need more young men to sign up as donors as they are the most likely to be chosen to donate.”
Nicola added: “I’m now in the position where my life could be reliant on a stranger donating their bone marrow to me. I want as many people as possible to sign up as donors – not just for me, but for everyone else out there waiting for a transplant.
“I never realised how easy it is to sign up as a bone marrow donor and how simple it is if you go on to donate – I wish everyone would do it.”
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