Woman appeals for stem cell donor to save her life

Abbie Inwood said she had 'run out of options' and her life now depended on a stranger coming forward

A young fashion designer who needs weekly blood transfusions to stay alive has said a stem cell donor coming forward is her "only hope".

Abbie Inwood, 24, from Gomersal, West Yorkshire, has a rare condition called aplastic anaemia, which means her body can't produce new blood cells.

She has been told a stem cell transplant is her final treatment option, but doctors have so far been unable to find a donor match, despite an international search.

Miss Inwood is now making a desperate appeal for more people to register as potential donors and said: "It's frightening because without that special person coming forward I probably won't be here."

Miss Inwood was admitted to hospital in March 2023, six weeks before she was due to complete the final year of her degree

She recognised unusual symptoms during the final year of her fashion design and marketing degree at Northumbria University in 2023.

"I was exhausted all the time and I kept getting dark bruises on my legs; I knew something wasn't right."

Blood tests revealed dangerously low haemoglobin levels and she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with the severe blood disorder.

She said her whole future was now "on hold".

"You just don't believe you'll ever get news like that and unfortunately I can't continue with my career in fashion while I'm having constant blood transfusions; my body can't cope."

Her condition puts her at high risk of infection so she stays busy at home mending garments for family members, going for walks and spending time with close friends.

Miss Inwood graduated with first class honours and has won national awards for her fashion designs

Treatments such as ATG therapy (which prevents T-cells from attacking bone marrow and allowing it to recover), have so far been unsuccessful for Miss Inwood and she urgently needs a transplant.

Doctors initially thought that her younger brother could be a suitable donor but later confirmed he was only a "half-match", making the procedure too risky.

"We are all trying to stay positive, but I can't continue to live like this, without a transplant," she said.

Miss Inwood's mother Amanda said her daughter was her world and she was feeling desperate.

"They've done a global search of all the databases and there is no match for Abbie yet.

"What can I say as a mother except that I would be truly grateful and forever in debt to anyone who comes forward to help her."

Abbie's mum Amanda said working with the Anthony Nolan charity gave the family hope

Miss Inwood has to take 20 tablets a day and have blood transfusions and tests every week at hospitals in Leeds and Dewsbury. She hopes sharing her experiences will encourage others to sign up as a potential stem cell donor on the Anthony Nolan charity's register. 

"I don't want anyone else to go through this.

"If you're aged 16 to 30, you could literally save someone's life, and most people can donate their stem cells a bit like giving blood."

Sarah Rogers, head of patient involvement at Anthony Nolan, said: "Every year, amazing people like Abbie face the unimaginable reality of being told a stem cell donor match hasn't been found for them,"

"We urgently need more young people, especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds, to consider joining the donor register. You'll receive a swab kit in the post and you just need to send it back to us for free. It's as simple as that."

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