A few weeks ago out of the blue my beautiful niece Hollie was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Myelodydyspladtic syndromes are a group of diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood. It is a rare type of leukaemia and Hollie needs a bone marrow transplant. Her little brother was tested to see if he was a match but unfortunately he is not.

Whilst her Doctors are looking for a bone marrow match, Hollie is prone to infections. She has already had and will need further blood transfusions to help keep her blood count stable. If you haven’t already done so please consider giving blood, you could save someone’s life!

If you would like to try and help Hollie and others just like her please visit the Anthony Nolan Trust website www.anthonynolan.org and join the register to donate your blood stem cells or bone marrow.

The register is used to match incredible individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 who are willing to donate their stem cells to people like Hollie in desperate need of a transplant.

Donating isn’t difficult, neither is joining the register. Initially all that is needed to register is a saliva sample. But it is urgent. So be THE CURE.