AN APPEAL has gone out to East Lancashire people who could save the life of young leukaemia victim Aimee Read and other sufferers.

Aimee, five, suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and will die in 12 months if she does not get a bone marrow transplant.

Blackburn and Colne Friends of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust are to run a clinic at the end of October at Blackburn Infirmary to obtain bone marrow samples from members of the public.

The samples are then sent away for tests and donors are put on a register in case they match someone in need of a transplant in the future.

Aimee's mum, Wendy, of Moorcroft, Edenfield, said: "Aimee is in desperate need of a transplant. She has 12 months left to live if she does not get a transplant. "It is really a fight against time and we need people to come forward now as testing and matching can take up to six months."

Chairman of the Blackburn Friends, Hilary Ashcroft said: "We are appealing for members of the public to come to the clinic. They could save the life of Aimee or other sufferers."

Hilary recognises the need to dispel the fears about donating bone marrow.

She said: "The word transplant makes people think of a major operation but it is nothing like this. It is so simple.

"We take a small sample of bone marrow at the clinic. This is not actual bone, it is just a blood-type substance.

"After the tests on the sample, the bone marrow is tissue-typed and the donor is put on a register.

"If the donor does eventually become a match for someone, the donation is simple.

"Bone marrow is taken out of the hip with a syringe under local anaesthetic. The person may feel tired for a few days but that is it."

People wanting to help should attend the clinic at Number Two Outpatients Department at Blackburn Infirmary on Tuesday, October 28 from 2pm to 8pm.

For further information people can contact Hilary on 01254 691107.

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