Leanne offers a lifeline (From Western Telegraph)

Leanne offers a lifeline

A 20-year-old Pembrokeshire woman has been given the chance to save a life.

Leanne Williams, (pictured) from Goodwick, was told she is the only bone marrow match in the UK for a man, 25, with leukemia.

Leanne joined the bone marrow register in January and has agreed to donate her potentially-lifesaving bone marrow to him next month.

If Leanne, who has been giving blood since she was 18, had not registered, then he would have had to search worldwide for a match.

Leanne's younger sister Samantha was born prematurely and was very ill in the early stages of her life, which inspired Leanne and her parents to give blood.

Leanne said: "There are two procedures for giving bone marrow, one is like giving blood but takes five hours.

"The other involves going under anaesthetic and having six punctures in the pelvis. They take one-and-a-half litres of bone marrow, which takes a month for the body to replace."

Leanne is going under anaesthetic on July 27th but will never meet the man she is helping.

Leanne said: "A new law was passed two years ago protecting the anonymity of donors and the recipients. We can write to each other, but our letters will get proofread by the Bone Marrow Institute. I will also get a update on his progress every six months.

"It's so important to give blood and bone marrow. It's giving somebody that vital chance. When I give bone marrow for this man they will take extra for research purposes.

"This is why it is so important to give money. They don't know the cause of leukemia, so research is vital."

Last week's front page article highlighted the Bucketful of Hope Appeal in memory of Adam Evans-Thomas, who despite a desperate ten-year search for a donor, died of leukaemia last year, aged 35.

Said Leanne: "The appeal is brilliant, especially as they are also going into schools and educating youngsters about how they can help. Cancer affects so many of us!"

Leanne and her mother, who is also waiting to go on the bone marrow register, took part in the Race for Life last year for their friend, who suffers from cancer. They raised £190.

Leanne's mother Julie said: "I will be a bit worried about her, but I am so proud that she is brave enough to go through with it."