A FAMILY have issued an emotional plea for help after being struck down by a second bone marrow crisis in a year.

Burnley-born Zeashan Nawaz, 17, is in desperate need of a life-saving transplant after being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.

His 14-year-old sister Medeahah received a transplant from her sister Melihah last year. She is doing well and hopes to return to school later this year.

Now the family are appealing for as many people to volunteer as bone marrow donors in an attempt to find a match for Zeashan.

Members of his family, many who still live in the Nelson area, have rallied round to be tested but unfortunately none of them have proved to be a suitable donor.

Mum Razia and dad Mohammed work for Post Office Counters and Zeashan still has aunts, uncles and cousins living in Pendle. The family is appealing for as many people as possible to come forward and join the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust's register of bone marrow donors.

Two clinics are being held on Sunday, March 12, at Catherine Becketts, Deepdale enclosure, Deepdale Road, Preston, from 10am to 2pm and at the Vocational Training College, 640 Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, from 4pm to 8pm. Volunteers are urged to attend to offer Zeashan and others the chance of life.

Zeashan is a full-time student at Preston College and worked part time at TJ Hughes, Preston, until his diagnosis.

He has spent most of the last eight months in three different hospitals with only two weeks at home.

The family first noticed all was not well on a family holiday when he had an abscess. Further problems of infection and low blood levels followed.

Zeashan went to the doctors and after tests was diagnosed as having Fanconi Anaemia, an hereditary blood disease which effects the reproduction of cells and leads to leukaemia.

Anyone wanting further information about the Trust or how to become a donor should contact 01253 860333.

Zeashan Ali Nawaz is pictured with his mum, Razia, and sister, Melihah, who has donated bone marrow to their other sister Medeahah who was ill last year.

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