Saving a stranger

ople waiting for bone marrow transplants in the UK.
The film introduces the12-year-old Yvette Gate from Bristol, whose only chance of survival is a bone marrow transplant. Yvette suffers from aplastic anaemia. Her bone marrow has stopped functioning, which means she cannot produce her own blood, and has to rely on transfusions to say alive. Yvette originates from the Gambia and is more likely to find a match from someone of the same ethnic origin. But there is a desperate shortage of all bone marrow donors and a particular shortage of donors from black and ethnic minority groups.
The film also concentrates on the inspiring Asma Meer, who lost her three-month old son Ibrahim because they couldn’t find a match for a bone marrow transplant. Asma is now a dedicated campaigner, raising awareness and trying to recruit more donors onto the bone marrow register. The register is administered by the Anthony Nolan Trust. Participating individuals need to be 18-40 years old in good health and fully committed to undergo the donation procedure if required. The Anthony Nolan Trust specifically needs to recruit more young male donors. – www.anthonynolan.org.uk or visit www.communitychannel.org