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A mother of two from Bradford becomes a
lifesaver
We were recently
contacted by Jayne Kavanagh from Bradford. Jayne donated bone
marrow in August 2004. This is her story:
 Jayne
writes: “ I joined the Bone Marrow Register about four years ago.
I never came up as a match at first. But some months after joining I received a phone call from the
Anthony Nolan Trust asking if I would do further tissue typing as I was
a potential match for a young boy in North America who desperately
needed a bone marrow transplant to treat his aplastic anaemia.”
“After undergoing further blood tests at my
doctor’s, I then had to go to London to see if I was fit enough for the
small operation to take place where I would donate some of my bone
marrow.”
Better than winning the Lottery
“At this point I was so excited that I had
been given the chance to save someone’s life. I remember thinking “This
is better than winning the lottery!!”
“I was then told that I could go ahead with
the donation and was also informed that I was the only hope for this
child.”
“They gave me a date for the donation to
take place and discussed with me what would happen. It really was
pretty straight forward. I would be put to sleep and they would take
some of my bone marrow from my pelvis using special needles, and
believe me I’m petrified of needles.”
“The date for my donation got brought
forward as the child had been prepared for the transplant. All that I
could think of at the time, and still do, is what that child must be
going through. What I was doing was nothing compared to what he and his
family must have be going through. It was actually strange in a way as
I didn’t know anything about this boy as the policy states you remain
anonymous for two years. But I felt he was part of me already and I had
a special bond that would last forever.”
It Was So Easy
“I was admitted to a London hospital and
told that that I would be there for two days and that the donation would
take place the following morning.”
“I woke up early the next morning and was
taken down to theatre. I was given a small injection in my hand and
that was it! I woke up about two hours later to be told that it was
done. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I can honestly say
I didn’t feel a thing. I wanted to do it again!“
“My donated bone marrow was then whisked
across to America for the child. I was then given a transfusion of my
own blood as I was anaemic. I had given my own blood earlier just in
case I needed it back.”
“Afterwards my back ached a bit, but it was
well worth it.”
Best News Ever!
“Two months later I received a thank you
card from my recipient in America saying that his transplant had been a
success. It was the best news ever!!”
“It is nearly two years since I donated and
we have kept in touch by sending cards. We plan to meet later this
year.”
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