Worldwide donor search to save Sri Lankan origin student

[Jean M]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-35678002

A worldwide search is on to find a stem cell donor for a Cardiff University student diagnosed with leukaemia, who needs to find a match urgently.

Vithiya Alphons, 24, has acute myeloid leukaemia and has been told she needs a donation in the next two months. But because of her Sri Lankan background, the search is more complex as not many South Asian people are on donor registers. The charity Anthony Nolan said it was looking for a "potential lifesaver".

[AJL]

There's a fair Sri Lankan community in Toronto, and a drive to serotype among the community could pay off since typically odds of finding a close match are best in one's community of origin.

Unfortunately, people with underrepresented ancestry, especially if it is complex, can have lots of trouble finding donors. This sad example from years ago comes to mind:

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/18/sports/baseball-rod-carew-s-daughter-dies.html

[Jean M]

A worldwide search is on to find a stem cell donor for a Cardiff University student diagnosed with leukaemia, who needs to find a match urgently.

Vithiya Alphons, 24, has acute myeloid leukaemia and has been told she needs a donation in the next two months. But because of her Sri Lankan background, the search is more complex as not many South Asian people are on donor registers. The charity Anthony Nolan said it was looking for a "potential lifesaver".

Very happy to report the huge response to this appeal, though more donors are needed. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-35729380


Charity Anthony Nolan said 5,600 have signed up in the last week. "The impact of Vithiya's appeal has been nothing short of incredible," said Ann O'Leary, head of register development, at the charity. "But Vithiya still needs to find her stem cell match and there are people just like her all across the world who are still waiting.