Stem cell donor found for Holbeach man with aplastic anaemia

A stem cell donor has been found to potentially save the life of a man with a rare blood disorder.

Dan Chapman was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in May and needed a stem cell transplant but none of his family were a match.

The 31-year-old from Holbeach launched an appeal and a donor has since been found.

“It means the world. It’s a cliché but I can start living again,” said Mr Chapman, who has a transplant lined up for next week.

Aplastic anaemia is a condition where the bone marrow’s stem cells do not produce enough blood cells.

According to the Aplastic Anaemia Trust, it is estimated that between 100 and 150 people are diagnosed with it in the UK every year and a stem cell transplant is the only form of treatment which, when successful, can cure it.

Mr Chapman told BBC Radio Lincolnshire without the treatment, which replaces the destroyed blood stem cells with healthy ones, he would be prone to sudden internal bleeding.

More than 2,000 people each year in the UK need a blood stem cell transplant, according to blood cancer charity DKMS.

But it said just 7% of the eligible UK population were registered as potential donors.

Mr Chapman and his family held a series of events across Lincolnshire last month, appealing for people to join the stem cell donor register.

“All it takes is a swab and here I am, my own life is ultimately being saved by that same simple act by this complete stranger,” he added.

“All I can say to this person, wherever they are out there, is a huge thank you.”