They say that perseverance conquers all and this story is certainly proof of that.
Mike Brandon was diagnosed with leukaemia and given just 60 days to find a bone marrow transplant or the disease would overwhelm his body.
In such a dire situation, many would choose to focus on enjoying their last days but his fiancée Kate Robertson never gave up hope and instead focused on launching a desperate bid to find a matching donor.
According to the Huffington Post, her efforts have led to a 650 per cent increase in people joining the bone marrow register, with a particular surge among potential donors in the couple’s home city of Bristol.
The 31-year-old admitted that the response had been “astounding” and in a fairytale ending, a donor was found for Mike in less than a month.
“It’s been an incredibly difficult time so the relief we’re feeling is overwhelming,” she said.
“A matching donor means that we can go ahead with Mike’s bone marrow transplant. We know we have a rocky road ahead as a transplant is a serious procedure, but knowing there is a good match for Mike is a fantastic boost that we desperately needed. Knowing that there is so much support out there and to be able to visibly see the results of what we are trying to achieve has lifted everyone’s spirits. Both Mike and I have loved reading through the posts and messages that have been coming through.”
The #Shake4Mike campaign encourages people to post pictures of themselves online shaking their heads to show that they had joined the bone marrow register and Robertson has vowed to continue to work with the UK’s blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to help other patients.
“The campaign was never just about finding a donor for Mike. Even at the outset we wanted to help make sure that there will be matching donors for other people going through the same agonising wait – other people’s brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, mums and dads, and lifelong partners,” she explained.
“We have been very lucky in finding a match but I know that not everyone is as fortunate. We still hope everyone will keep shaking their faces at cancer and continue to spread the #Shake4Mike campaign to help others in Mike’s situation.”
