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The recent campaign to find a bone marrow donor for a Guernseyman may have been a success with a 10/10 match found for Mark Fallaize who is now likely to have surgery later this month, which could save his life.
The Guernsey Friends of the Antony Nolan Trust have said they are "feeling positive" about the situation now as they await further test results from Mr Fallaize and his potential donor.
Hundreds of people had registered as donors during a recruitment drive in Guernsey earlier this summer, following the urgent plea which was issued by the local branch of the charity organisation on behalf of Mr Fallaize who was told he needed a bone marrow donor but that a match couldn't be found out of the existing willing donors on the national register.
During two days more than 400 people signed up as potential donors with one of those now believed to be the match Mr Fallaize had been waiting for.
Pictured: An earlier Express article detailing the search for potential donors for Mr Fallaize
The Guernsey Post employee had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2016 and despite chemotherapy initially being successful, a Bone Marrow Biopsy earlier this year saw him diagnosed with Myeloid Dysplastic Syndrome which requires a bone marrow transplant.
The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust and its Guernsey branch appealed for potential donors to come forward on his behalf and now one has been found which was described as a 10/10 match.
The Guernsey branch of the charity said "we are delighted to report that a donor match has been found for Mark. The donor is a perfect match (10/10) which is really fantastic news!"
Mr Fallaize now has to undertake some blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy in preparation for receiving the new stem cell/bone marrow. If these initial tests go well, Mr Fallaize could go to hospital in Southampton a week today, on 28 August, to start his treatment. He will have to stay in hospital in Southampton for approximately two and a half months if the treatment goes ahead as hoped.
In the meantime, the Anthony Nolan Trust is also looking for two further potential "back-up" matches which would be an 8/10 or 9/10 match compared to a 10/10. These "back up" matches would be used in the event that Mr Fallaize's body rejects the first match.
The charity said that "whilst there are still some risks and hoops to jump through it is very good news!"
The organisation also said Mr Fallaize "sends his thanks again for everyone's support for him, the Guernsey Friends of the ANT and the Anthony Nolan Trust."
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