51 years old Raj Singh Buller, from Slough, who is married with two sons, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on Christmas Eve 2014. The diagnosis turned his and his family’s world upside down.
Delete Blood Cancer UK found a matching blood stem cell donor for Raj Singh Bhuller. Raj has acute myeloid leukaemia and requires a blood stem cell donation to get better and will now receive blood stem cells from the matching donor in the next few weeks. The charity has been working with his family for months in appealing to the public to register with them, to find a matching donor for him, and for all those in need of a blood stem cell donation.
The appeal was directed at those who shared Raj’s South Asian background in particular, as those with a similar background are most likely to provide the best suitable match for him. With only four per cent of those registered to be on standby to donate some of their blood stem cells in the UK having an Asian background, the appeal aimed to increase this statistic. Running over several months, the appeal has been really successful, with thousands of people registering as potential blood stem cell donors in response to it, especially those with a South Asian background
Speaking about a matching donor being found for Raj, his family have said: “We want to thank every single last one of you for the love, support and prayers you have provided on every step of Raj's journey so far. “Raj finding a match is in stark contrast to others who are struggling to find a donor but we all need to keep our efforts up and remain positive. We can't let people feel like they are alone on their journey. As a family we were all motivated by the idea that it only seems impossible until it is done. “Let's stand together, work tirelessly and continue to make the ‘impossible’ possible for those searching for a donor - for those like Sarbjit Matharu, whose family have been by our side throughout this.”
Emphasising the importance of registering as a potential blood stem cell donor, Deirdra Taylor, Director of Communications and External Relations at Delete Blood Cancer UK, said: “It is wonderful that a matching donor has been found for Raj but it is important to remember that this match has only taken place because someone took the few minutes to register as a potential blood stem cell donor. That is why it is crucial that more people register, and as those in need of blood stem cell donation are most likely to find a matching donor from a similar ethnic background, it is vital that a diverse range of people register.” You can register in five minutes online and request a cheek swab kit that will enable you to do your own tissue test to go on the database to maybe one day become a blood stem cell donor, through the Delete Blood Cancer UK website: www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk
