I was reading the local Sunday paper in 1991. A piece caught my eye about a young child who needed a bone marrow transplant, the story was asking for donors. The child was the same age as my eldest daughter. I was thinking about the parents and how, if that was me, I'd want EVERYONE on the register. I joined that afternoon.

20 years later, I received a letter informing me that I was a potential match and would I take some more blood tests? I attended my local doctors and saw a trainee, she was scared of needles but still, somehow, managed to fill all the vials I'd been sent. 

The bloods were sent off and now I waited. I'd been told that I would receive either a polite letter saying I wasn't a close enough match or full instructions on what happened next. Deb gets in from work before me, she was primed to look out for the envelope and phone me as soon as it arrived. A few weeks later my phone rang, it was Deb. I only needed to know one thing so I asked "How big is the envelope?" "Massive" she replied. I knew, right then, that I was going to do this.

Two train tickets arrived. A trip to London for a medical, Deb was with me. I had the chance to ask questions and they had the chance to make sure I knew what I was doing. They know how dangerous it is for any donor to pull out at the last minute, I told them that wouldn't be happening. We were there and back in a day.

Two more train tickets arrived and a 2 night stay in a hotel booked 10 minutes walk from the hospital. This was the big day and I had to be at the hospital for 8.30am. We were looked after brilliantly, the staff made it all very easy. The plan was for me to be hooked up to a machine which would take blood from one arm, harvest the stem cells it needed and return the blood to the other arm. This went on for about 7 hours. I was really proud of myself that I didn't need the toilet.

Those 7 hours flew by whilst the machine did it's thing. We had a visit from a representative of Anthony Nolan to check if I was ok and did I have any questions. She then asked if I'd like to know about the person I was helping. No names given, I was told that it was a she, slightly older than me (sorry, Dianne) who came from the Birmingham area. That was it.

I was then told that there would be a review at 4 pm to check if there were enough stem cells. If there wasn't, I would have to come back the following day for another donation. The nurse was back by 4.30pm describing the donation as massive and that I could go home. I didn't need the second night in the hotel, we were on the 5.30pm train home to Newcastle.

For the next 2 years, I learned that Anthony Nolan don't like names and/or any personal information to be shared by either party. They are very strict on anonymity for very good reasons. My recipient and I were allowed to swap cards and correspondence but it had to be sent via Anthony Nolan and it was vetted. They weren't afraid to cross out names or anything that could identify who we were. I still have those cards, they are full of emotion and I still read them today.

Finally, after two years, I received a letter from Anthony Nolan asking me if I would waive my anonymity. I agreed and felt sure they were doing the same thing in Birmingham. Sure enough, I received a card shortly afterwards this time with no names crossed out. Dianne Walker, finally.

We arranged to see each other shortly afterwards. Dianne, husband John, daughter Rachel and son Matt drove to Newcastle on a Sunday morning. I saw them arrive, Deb and I were in the street before they got out of the car. I smiled at the other three family members and said hello as they were coming towards us but there was only one place I was headed and that was to give Dianne a big hug. Fortunately, she had the same plan. We'd met at last, in the street, hugging for what seemed like a very long time. I don't remember any traffic.

We had a lovely afternoon. I have never needed any justification for what I did but when I realised what a lovely bunch the Walker family are. Well, it still makes me smile today. 

This is, still, the best thing I have ever done.

But, it's an expensive programme remember my four train tickets and 2 nights in a London hotel. It's not cheap.

I'm not asking you to get up at 5am and join me for a run. Can you do either of the following?

1. Join the Register yourself, age allowing, or

2. Help with the costs for this fantastic charity.