Ellianna Efstratiou is searching for a donor to help dad Michael (Image: Ellianna Efstratiou)
A dad whose was ruined by a sudden diagnosis is desperately appealing for help to find a stem cell donor.
Driving instructor Michael Kyriacos Efstratiou, 64, has chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, which occurs when the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells called monocytes.
He has been told there are no treatment options other than a . Michael’s daughter Ellianna Efstratiou, 35, said the family is now facing “a waiting game”.
She added: “It was a big shock to my dad, it’s made him quite anxious, especially when the doctor said he needs a donor. It’s sort of like a waiting game. We feel a lot of it now is on us and it’s making us want to drive this even more.
“It’s not just helping your own family; you’re helping others who need a match. There are so many people in the community and across the world that need this support.”
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A transplant would see Michael’s faulty blood cells replaced with healthy ones from a generous donor.
Nine in ten donations are made via a method similar to giving blood, while one in ten are collected directly from bone marrow under general anaesthetic.
More than 2,000 people need a stem cell transplant each year in the UK but the donor register cannot meet demand.
Michael and his family are of Cypriot heritage so they are urging people in the British Cypriot diaspora and beyond to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register.
“By sharing my story, I want to raise awareness and it’s not just about finding a match for me,” Michael said. “The more people there are on the register, the more others could be helped in the future.”
Shirley Nolan launched the world’s fist stem cell register 50 years ago while searching for a match for her son, Anthony. Sadly at that time it wasn’t possible.
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Rowena Bentley, head of programme and community recruitment at Anthony Nolan, said: “Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and more than 16,000 people lose their lives to it every year. But many of us won’t have heard of stem cell transplants as a treatment.
“That’s why it’s vital that people like Michael share their story, so we can continue to raise awareness of stem cell donation, encourage more people to join the register, and ultimately save more lives.”
People who are healthy and aged 16-30 can join the register, as younger donors give patients the best chance of survival.
Ms Bentley added: “The more matches we can make, the more lives we can save.
“If you can’t join the register, please think about supporting Anthony Nolan financially. Your contribution will mean we can support families before, during, and after transplant, and continue our pioneering research into saving lives through stem cells.”
You can support Michael’s appeal .