A BONE marrow match has been found for an East Lancashire leukaemia sufferer.

Nick Mallinson will go into hospital this weekend for preparation before his transplant operation on November 24.

Nick, 36, of Ontario Close, Blackburn, discovered he had the illness in February.

"It's brilliant news," said Nick, personal banking manager for Lloyds in Preston. "The operation will be at Bristol Children's Hospital and I go down on Sunday.

"There's a three-day medical to make sure I'm fit enough for the treatment, then there's ten days of preparation, including chemotherapy and irridation."

This treatment will effectively kill off Nick's immune system and, with it, the leukaemia, before the donor bone marrow is introduced.

"I realise there is going to be discomfort involved and there are side-effects. But I'll try anything that may help me.

"I'm not afraid of the pain, but I am frightened my body will reject the transplant."

The odds of success are slightly better than 50-50, but Nick is hopeful the operation will succeed.

"It would be great to be out of hospital and on the road to recovery by Christmas," he said.

Nick's donor, who is anonymous, was found through the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust register.

To join the register and be in a position to help save someone's life, call the Trust on 0171 284 1234. You can write to them at the Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 4YR.

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