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From: Yorkshire Post - Tuesday 16/7/2002
Date: 7/16/02
Time: 4:27:48 PM
Remote Name: 195.173.8.59
Health and good cheer after cancer ordeals
A MOTHER who came forward to offer the gift of life to a dying little girl and discovered she was suffering from the same cancer is celebrating 12 months in complete remission – while the child she tried to save is thriving.
Eight-year-old Molly-Ann Barnett, of Hessle, has landed a place at prestigious Hymers College in west Hull, despite missing 18 months of lessons during her fight against the acute myeloid leukaemia that almost claimed her life.
And Lorraine Rollo, who was among thousands of people tested for bone marrow compatability in an attempt to save Molly-Ann, is this week celebrating one year of complete remission.
In the last 12 months the mother-of-three from Hornsea has started a new job as a Press officer at East Riding Council and is spearheading a campaign to make the wonder-drug that saved her available to all.
The breakthroughs represent astonishing milestones in Ms Rollo's and Molly-Ann's fight for life.
And although the two have never met, Ms Rollo knows that her own life will always be linked with that of a bubbly little girl from East Yorkshire.
She told the Yorkshire Post: "I've had 12 months in complete remission now and other than feeling a bit sick on the tablets I take, I'm fine.
"The past few months have been so chaotic and full of little victories and shocks and everything has changed so much, but all that matters is I'm still here and still with my family. There's nothing to indicate the leukaemia will ever come back, and for that I know I have Molly-Ann to thank."
Specialists have said that Ms Rollo was given a "fighting chance" by detecting it so early. The 35-year-old was one of thousands whose greatest wish was to offer Molly-Ann the chance to beat the leukaemia that was ravaging her body.
She came forward in her lunch break to be tested for compatability for a bone marrow match. Within hours of donating a blood sample she learned she was suffering from the disease herself. After nine months of pioneering treatment Ms Rollo forced it into remission.
She is now at the head of a campaign to make "Glivec" available to all. She is lobbying the Government to approve it for widespread use. Experts believe there is not enough evidence to prove it is cost-effective.
Molly-Ann eventually found a suitable donor in America. It will be a little over two years before she gets the all-clear but she is full of energy and her vital blood-platelet counts are in good shape.
Dave Mark