Blood donor told he needs a stem cell transplant

Gideon Mackrill never imagined he would become a recipient of an organ donations

A dedicated blood donor is now on the receiving end of the altruistic service as he prepares for a stem cell transplant.

Four years ago Gideon Mackrill, 57, attended his regular blood donor session only to be told he needed to see a doctor.

Tests discovered Mr Mackrill had Aplastic Anaemia, a rare blood disorder that occurs when bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells, and is preparing for a stem cell transplant at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Mr Mackrill said: "It's always been important to me to give blood because it's an easy way of helping someone; maybe saving someone's life. I never thought I'd be the one taking it back."

Gideon Mackrill will be in isolation in hospital for six weeks

Mr Mackrill, who lives in Baldhu near Truro, is a carpenter who built his family home and has a strong customer base.

However, he said he had been forced to give up work while he undergoes treatment.

"I was still working full time up to Christmas and then I started getting less and less energy, if I do a job now it takes me ten times longer than it did before.

"But I've got a lot of understanding customers who've known me a long time and kept me going.

"I can't wait to get to Derriford in some ways because I want to get the process started although I'm nervous as well," he said.

During the treatment Mr Mackrill will be kept in isolation at the hospital for four to six weeks and then stay at a bed and breakfast facility close to the hospital for regular checks.

It will be 18 months before the hospital will know if the transplant has been successful.

'One of the lucky ones'

While waiting for the transplant, Mr Mackrill has received regular transfusions of blood to top up his platelets.

"You should have 150 to 450 platelets in your body and mine have been down to 12. If it's below 20 it's seen as quite critical," he said.

Mr Mackrill said the Aplastic Anaemia Trust had provided him with help and advice.

He wants other people to consider donating blood and putting themselves on the stem cell register.

Mr Mackrill said: "There is a stem cell register worldwide and fortunately I am one of the lucky ones as they have found several matches for me. Some people don't get a match.

"The more people that are on the register, the more chance there is for people to get a match," he said.