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One Match Found: Woman's Life Hangs on Rare Donor
27 Jan
Summary
- A woman with a rare blood cancer needs a stem cell transplant.
- Only one matching donor was found on the global registry.
- She urges more people to sign up as stem cell donors.
A 56-year-old mother of two, Sian Chathyoka from Swansea, is battling aggressive myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer. She requires a stem cell transplant to survive, a procedure that represents a last chance of life for many patients with such conditions.
Remarkably, only one compatible donor has been found on the extensive global registry for Sian. She is preparing to receive the transplant from this individual, describing them as a "selfless stranger."
Following her diagnosis in September 2025 after experiencing extreme fatigue and weight loss, Sian has undergone treatments and transfusions. She is now sharing her story to raise awareness about the critical shortage of stem cell donors, urging others to join the registry.
The NHS Stem Cell Registry, a collaboration including Anthony Nolan, DKMS UK, and NHS Blood and Transplant, aims to recruit 30,000 new donors annually in the UK to meet demand. Sian's advocacy underscores the profound impact a simple registration can have on saving lives.
