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Food Poisoning Led to Life-Saving Diagnosis
10 Aug
Summary
- Aged 30, Rafiya Sherin was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia.
- Her condition was discovered after contracting food poisoning in Egypt.
- Thousands in the UK await stem cell donors; only 7% are registered.
Rafiya Sherin, a 30-year-old woman from Preston, has shared her story of a life-threatening blood disorder diagnosis that came about unexpectedly following food poisoning. While on holiday in Egypt in June, she fell ill, with symptoms worsening upon her return to the UK. Despite being told three times by medics that hospital admission was unnecessary, subsequent tests revealed she had severe aplastic anaemia.
This critical condition, aplastic anaemia, was only discovered due to the food poisoning incident, necessitating regular blood transfusions for Rafiya. She expressed that a stem cell donor would offer her a "second chance at life," enabling her to resume her normal activities, including travel and work. She hopes to raise awareness through her situation.
According to the blood cancer charity DKMS, there are approximately 2,000 people in the UK currently waiting for a stem cell match. However, the UK's stem cell register has a low registration rate, with only 7% of the eligible population signed up.
