Urgent Search for Bone Marrow Donor as Young Man Faces Leukemia Relapse
Toulouse, France – A desperate plea is going out across france and internationally for a bone marrow donor to save the life of Raphaël, a young man battling a relapse of leukemia. After eight years navigating the disease, a recent routine blood test revealed the cancer has returned, and his only hope lies in finding a compatible donor.
Raphaël, who initially experienced symptoms during a trip to Vietnam in 2017, has endured a challenging journey of remissions and relapses. It was local residents in Vietnam who first noticed his fatigue and breathlessness, prompting further examination. His adoptive mother, Isabelle, recalls initially attributing his tiredness to the end of the school year, but growing concern led them to discover the underlying cause: a lack of oxygen linked to leukemia.
“He was tired,it was at the end of the school year so we thought it was normal.Then we noticed that he was breathless when we went to altitude. It was actually due to a lack of oxygen linked to his leukemia,” Isabelle explained.
The recurrence comes as a devastating blow after a period of positive remission. “I was shocked, it was not believable,” Raphaël stated, describing his reaction to the recent diagnosis.He has been forced to suspend his studies and put his social life on hold while awaiting a potential match.
Finding a donor is proving tough. Kenza Sevilla, a member of the association Leukemia Espoir Occitanie and a close support for the family, explained the challenge: ”In fact, when ther are no brothers or sisters, there is a million chance of a million to find a compatible donor.”
The search is notably urgent as time is of the essence. Isabelle is actively raising awareness about the importance of bone marrow donation, emphasizing that Raphaël’s life ”is no longer in his hands.”
How to Help:
Anyone aged 18-35 can register as a potential bone marrow donor at www.dondemoelleosseuse.fr. The donation process is not painful and carries minimal risk.
Understanding Bone Marrow Donation & Leukemia:
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, hindering the body’s ability to fight infection.Bone marrow,the spongy tissue inside bones,produces blood cells. A bone marrow transplant (also known as a stem cell transplant) replaces damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy marrow.
Donors are typically identified through a process of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing, which matches the genetic markers of the donor and recipient. The closer the match, the higher the success rate of the transplant. While family members are often the first choice for donors, the vast majority of transplants rely on unrelated donors found through registries like the one in France.
The French bone marrow registry, managed by France Défi rares, plays a crucial role in connecting patients with perhaps life-saving donors. The organization emphasizes the importance of a diverse donor pool to increase the chances of finding a match for individuals from all ethnic backgrounds.
This story highlights the critical need for increased bone marrow donor registration and the power of community support in the fight against leukemia.
