When award-winning journalist Sue Lloyd-Roberts was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia in June 2015, the only viable treatment option required a stem cell transplant. Because of the aggressive nature of the cancer, it was a race against time to find a stem cell donor for leukaemia treatment, as is often the case.

Thankfully, a donor has been found! Sue’s employer, the BBC, helped advertise her quest to find a suitable stem cell donor in the past few weeks.  They hosted an open day to encourage potential bone marrow donors to come forward and be tested for compatibility.  The cancer charity Anthony Nolan has also been helping Sue look for a potential donor. 

Lloyd-Roberts has a very long history of working as a foreign affairs journalist, a role that has taken her into some very dangerous locations.  She didn’t expect the biggest threat to her life to occur while at home.

After collapsing at home doctors performed tests and discovered that she had a very low white blood cell count.  Soon after she was diagnosed with leukaemia.  Tests on Sue revealed that she has a blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that can develop into leukaemia.

Sue has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the University College Hospital in London.  A stem cell transplant is essential to help her body produce healthy red blood cells and rebuild her immune function.  She is due to have her stem cell transplant later this month.

Sue’s quick fall from health to severe illness highlights how important quickly finding a stem cell donor for leukaemia treatment can be.

From: Sue Lloyd-Roberts finds stem cell donor for leukaemia treatment

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