A young woman diagnosed with a type of blood cancer is fighting for her life after doctors told her she would need a lifesaving bone marrow transplant.
Lara Casalotti, 24, who is of Thai, Chinese and Italian descent, was taken ill in Thailand in December while she was working on a study about domestic migrant workers.
A blood test revealed she had acute myeloid leukemia.
She is currently being treated with chemotherapy at London’s University College Hospital, but doctors say she urgently needs a transplant to save her life.
However her mixed heritage means that finding a match is extremely difficult.
Her family, who live in London, have mounted an international campaign urging people to join a bone marrow registry to help Lara and others like her.
Her brother Seb, who is sadly not a match, said: ““It’s ironic because I think most people would say they’d donate stem cells for a loved one, but wouldn’t do it just for any old person. But more often than not, you can’t actually help your family – so we’ve got to think as a community.”
Celebrities including JK Rowling and Stephen Fry have also pledged their support, urging anyone of mixed race to join national blood registries like the UK’s Anthony Nolan charity.
“Anyone joining the register is obviously great at any time,” said Seb. “ It takes time for the labs to test your tissue type and add you to the register. There’s no time to put this off or think ‘I’ll do it next week’. That could be too late for Lara. Please do it today.”
Lara said since the campaign had begun, Anthony Nolan had received 2,000 new enquiries.
In a note on her Facebook page, she wrote: “I really can’t express how grateful and touched I am by everyone’s response. I can’t thank my family and friends enough who have been so supportive and have made this campaign possible.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped spread the word and thank you so so much to everyone who has gone to register already!”
To register as a donor in Thailand, visit the Thai Red Cross National Blood Center and ask to join the Thai Stem Cell Donor Registry.
You will be asked to donate blood, with a sample taken for testing. If the test determines you are a potential match, you will be contacted by the National Registry.
More information about Lara’s campaign can be found at Match 4 Lara.
