[ Home | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Hull Daily Mail 18/4/2003
Date: 22/04/03
Time: 21:15:28
Remote Name: 212.50.171.169
SPECIAL BOND THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER
09:30 - 18 April 2003
When Molly-Ann Barnett was recovering in hospital after a successful bone marrow transplant, her mum Mandy knew she would do everything she could to contact the person who had made the operation possible. The gratitude she felt was overwhelming. It was September 2000.
Within weeks, Molly-Ann was home in time for Christmas.
She was weak from her ordeal. But, with strength and courage and the love of her family, she was well on the road to recovery.
Mrs Barnett wrote to the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, asking that her letter be passed on to whoever it was that saved Molly's life.
She didn't know it at the time, but the mystery donor Lori White was in turn writing to the American Bone Marrow Trust with the same request.
To the consternation of both parties, Mrs White's letter spent a year and a half lost in the postage system before it arrived.
But when it did, its effect was dramatic.
"As soon as I found her name and address I wrote to her straight away," said Mrs Barnett.
"We didn't know her name for two years. But it was the same for Lori.
"She didn't know Molly's name. All she knew was that it was a little girl in England.
"Since then, we have written regularly and we have both sent teddies and T-shirts.
"I can't put into words how I feel being able to contact Lori and put a face to her name.
"I keep her photograph in my handbag."
Their contact has brought the Barnetts and Mrs White even closer.
It has also unearthed some unusual ties.
Aside from their bone marrow, Mrs White and Molly-Ann have other things in common.
Mrs Barnett said: "When we came out of the bone marrow unit two-and-a-half-years-ago, Molly wanted her bedroom re-decorated.
"She said 'I really like lime green and purple'. Then Lori sent an e-mail to Molly and said her favourite colours were lime green and purple. We thought it was amazing."
An excerpt from one of Mandy's e-mails to Mrs White shows what that contact has meant.
She wrote: "I took your letter and showed it to the people we were meeting in Whitehall. I read it to my close friend on the mobile whilst on the three-hour train journey.
"Molly, Paul and I are so pleased we can now be in touch with you."
Mail's campaign boosted donors
In September 1999, Molly-Ann was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
She underwent five courses of chemotherapy to try to fight the disease.
After three months in remission, she went back to hospital to have the tubes for administering drugs removed.
But while their daughter was under the anaesthetic for that operation, her parents Paul and Mandy were told the leukaemia had returned.
Molly-Ann needed a bone marrow transplant to improve her chances of recovery.
But her tissue type was very rare and the desperate search for a donor began.
To help, the Mail launched its Gift of Life campaign - urging people to register as donors.
Two thousand readers responded.
Beating odds of 90,000 to one, American donor Lori White was eventually found to match.
Molly-Ann is now a fit and healthy eight-year- old.
Her parents continue to campaign for people to give blood and to register as potential donors through the National Blood Service (NBS).
Their work has made a huge impact.
Between 2000 and 2001 there were 15,000 registered donors in the UK.
Between April 2002 and April 2003, 40,000 people registered.
The UK register is now the fastest growing in the world.
For more details on how to register, call the National Blood Service helpline on (08457) 711711.