What is a Bone Marrow transplant? | In loving memory of Jay.

A bone marrow or stem cell transplant replaces damaged blood cells with healthy ones. This transplant can be the last chance of survival for people suffering with Leukaemia and lymphoma, like my good friend Jay. Jay had lymphoblastic lymphoma, and had a bone marrow transplant in July after undergoing an unsuccessful course of chemotherapy. The transplant was a success, buy Jay's health took a turn for the worst after contracting Influenza and microangiopathy, which was a complication caused by his bone marrow transplant. Jay sadly passed away on January 9th. The reason I am doing this blogpost is because I was good friends with Jay, and he always said that he wanted to create a blog to promote awareness of bone marrow transplants. Since Jay never got to fulfil that wish, I am going to try my best to do it for him.

Why are bone marrow transplants carried out?
Bone marrow transplants are used to treat conditions in which the bone marrow is damaged and unable to produce healthy cells.
Conditions that transplants can be used to treat:

• Leukaemia and lymphoma - these are blood cancers.
• Myeloma - cancer affecting blood cells called plasma
• Severe aplastic anaemia (bone marrow failure)
• Certain blood and immune disorders.

What does a bone marrow transplant involve?

A bone marrow transplant can involve taking healthy stem cells or bone marrow from another person, ideally a family member, but only 30% of cases have a well-matched family member. The cells have to be closely matched to the person receiving them to increase the chances of a successful transplant. This is called an allogenic transplant.

It's also possible to remove your own stem cells and transplant them later. This is called an autologous transplant.

A bone marrow transplant has five main stages:

• Tests and examinations to assess your general health.
• Harvesting - the process of obtaining the stem cells to be used in the transplant.
• Conditioning - preparing your body for the transplant by using chemotherapy and sometimes radiotherapy, this is so the damaged stem cells are being killed off before the transplant.
• Transplanting the stem cells.
• Recovery.

Risks of a stem cell transplant

A bone marrow transplant is a very intensive procedure which requires one to two months in hospital, and the patient is open to many risks. These include:

• Graft versus host disease - this occurs in allogenic transplants when the transplanted cells start to attack other cells in your body.
• Reduced number of blood cells - this could lead to anaemia, excessive bleeding or bruising, and an increased risk of infection. 
• Chemotherapy side effects - sickness, tiredness and infertility.

BONE MARROW DONORS NEEDED!

As you can figure from this blog, a bone marrow transplant is an extremely hard procedure, which no one should have to go through. What makes a bone marrow transplant even harder is the wait for a well-matched donor, it's not as easy as it seems. More people need to join the stem cell donor list so more people have the chance of a successful transplant. Register today, and save someone's life. With only 30% of cases able to get stem cells donated from a relative, they need your help.

DON'T WAIT TO DONATE.

A PATIENT OUT THERE IS WAITING FOR THEIR PERFECT DONOR, THAT PERFECT DONOR COULD BE YOU!

REGISTER TODAY!

To find out more: https://www.anthonynolan.org/8-ways-you-could-save-life/donate-your-stem-cells

Register at Anthony Nolan or British Bone Marrow Registry.

Goodbye 2016, hello 2017! | Collab with Evie

I am in disbelief that 2016 has come to an end; it only seems like yesterday that I was declared No Evidence of Disease at the start of the year. 2016 has been a fantastic year, despite still being in cancer treatment, I am able to do the most amazing things. Cancer is the worst thing that has happened to me, but I am glad that 2016 has reflected how I made my cancer a positive not a negative.

2016 had a tough beginning. Fighting both cancer and anxiety was the toughest part of my battle. I don't want to think of the panic attacks, and the fear, and the side effects from both chemotherapy & radiotherapy. I want to think of 2016 as a year of massive progress and accomplishment for me. Beating the anxiety was a massive step for me. Like cancer, I was determined to beat the anxiety, and that's exactly what I did. In March, I finished the gruelling 7 months of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to endure. It was physically and mentally draining, but I stayed strong and I showed cancer who's boss.

2016 has made me realise the important things in life. I really feel like I have learnt a lot about myself. I have learnt to embrace my cancer and love me for me! I don't hide. I show off my imperfections caused by my cancer with pride and strength. I have been able to embrace my cancer by uploading my first ever youtube video, which has now received over 100,000 views! For me this video was to help spread awareness and show everyone that I don't have to hide my cancer, instead I will show it off. My youtube channel has helped me receive a lot of publicity which is extremely important for me to spread childhood cancer awareness. I have worked with Sarcoma Uk, appeared on ITV news and on various news sites.

2016 has seen me progress as a person, because I am able to make my voice be heard. I have grown so much confidence and an attitude in which I don't take "No" for an answer. I have grown an extreme passion to help other children with cancer like me. 2016 has really shown me what I am truly capable of. I am capable of asking the public about childhood cancer, I am capable of spreading awareness via social media, and I've shown myself that I am capable of whatever I desire to do.

I want to thank all of you for your endless support and encouragements. I couldn't have made 2016 such an amazing year without all of you guys. I'm excited to see what 2017 has in store for me.

Lets cheers to a happy and healthy 2017!

Love Ellie and Evie!xxx
 Go checkout Evie's blog post here, Evie has just gone into remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma, she's had a tough year but she has been tougher!