On the 16th of December 2019 my little sister Amelia was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). The condition was so serious we were told she may not make it through the first 24 hours. Christmas was spent in intensive care with the family by her side and when she was well enough Amelia began a gruelling process of intensive chemotherapy. I was so proud of the strength Amelia showed throughout her treatment and it was a real blow in summer 2020 to be told it had not been successful and she would need a stem cell transplant.

Sadly, I was not a match for Amelia and we were blessed that Anthony Nolan, the blood cancer charity, found a matching donor. Amelia’s 8th birthday and another Christmas was spent in hospital undergoing conditioning chemotherapy, radiotherapy and finally transplantation. We were delighted when she was discharged just in time to bring in 2021 at home with her family. 

Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancer by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells with patients, like Amelia, in need of a lifesaving transplant. They also carry out ground-breaking research to improve survival rates and life after transplant. I am very proud to have signed up as a donor when Amelia was first diagnosed, and I hope one day I can make a difference to a family in need.

Anthony Nolan recruit 16-30 year old donors as they provide the best survival outcomes for patients and I would love to get as many people as I can get to sign up to the stem cell register. It costs Anthony Nolan £40 to add each new donor to the register, so I also want to raise vital funds to help them continue this important work. 

I row for Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club, and I am very fortunate to be supported by the Italian boat company, Filippi, and sponsors Hamish and Elizabeth Allan, who have supplied me with a new single scull rowing boat which I aim to use as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds for Anthony Nolan.

Amelia is doing well at present, getting stronger, gradually getting back to her normal school life and looking forward to her first-year anniversary post-transplant at the beginning of December - just days before her ninth birthday. This would never have happened without the support of Anthony Nolan and Amelia’s lifesaving donor. 

My sister can drive me mad at times, as wee sisters do, but I love her so much and am so grateful to have her in my life. Please share this story and donate if you can to help save more people like Amelia. 

Thank you, Max.