Appeal to find donor for Jamie

12:14pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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A BROMLEY mother has taken her search for a bone marrow donor for her sick son to the European Parliament.

Nine-year-old Jamie was diagnosed three years ago with Fanconi anaemia - a genetic blood disease - which makes him prone to infections, bleeding, fatigue, haemorrhaging and cancer.

In February Donna Zammit, of Chatterton Road, Bromley Common, gave birth to a daughter - Donatella - hoping her fifth child would be a suitable donor to save the life of her son Jamie.

When Donatella was born she was tested to see if her blood marrow matched Jamie's - but it didn't.

Until recently Jamie's condition has been controlled with steroids but they no longer work and he needs to have a blood transfusion everyday.

When Jamie's 35-year-old mum appealed in the Maltese national press for donors there was a terrific response.

But when people went to their local hospital saying they wanted to have a blood test to help Jamie - they couldn't.

Mrs Zammit - who comes from Malta - said: "Loads of people in Malta have come forward saying they want to have a blood test to help Jamie.

"At the moment they can't because there is no bone marrow register and there are no medical staff trained in tissue typing.

"I have spoken to the Maltese Prime Minister and am pushing the Maltese government to get a bone marrow register - but it is going to take time and money.

"The European Parliament is getting involved after I went to Brussels to talk about it.

"They want to help Malta set up a donor register."

The Anthony Nolan Trust - a charity which runs the UK's largest bone marrow register is launching an appeal to find a donor for Jamie - and other people suffering from diseases like leukaemia.

They are holding a donor recruitment session at Jamie's school - Princes Plain Primary School in Church Lane, Bromley - on May 20th between 4pm and 8pm.

To join the Anthony Nolan register you must be aged between 18 and 40, be in good health, weigh more than eight stone (51kg) and not be severely overweight.