MAY 2005

“Before being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, in January 2003, I led a pretty normal life, having the odd cold or two. I worked as a delivery driver, enjoyed playing football at the weekend, socialising with friends and spending time with my wife and two sons."
"On frequent visits to my GP for sickness, severe tiredness and nosebleeds, I had several blood tests, which resulted in being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Being told I had a form of Cancer was a huge shock to all the family and a desperate and uncertain time for me."
"Treatment followed almost immediately in the form of Chemotherapy and Steroids. This was not a pleasant experience causing terrible sickness, vomiting, poor skin, poor diet, hair loss and mood swings. This caused a lot of stress for all the family. I also had to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant, which resulted in two weeks in hospital on an isolation ward. I felt physically exhausted, had incredible weight loss and vomited almost daily. Unfortunately, the Stem Cell Transplant failed and I have now reached the point where I need a Bone Marrow transplant urgently."
"The search for a donor has proved extremely difficult, as there are few African-Caribbean people on the international match register. Sadly the nearest match recently came off the international match register and there isn’t a match on the UK register, so we are back to searching.”
Doctors at the Christie Hospital are controlling the cancer with the drug thalidomide, but say it is aggressive and don't believe the drugs will work into the New Year.
“In the last two weeks, the doctors have said we can't wait until December because things could take a drastic turn for the worse therefore I have been told that I desperately need a bone marrow donor before the end of this year, otherwise the future does not look positive."
"On 14th June, my family started a localised campaign, which was covered by Granada TV and BBC Northwest Tonight. The response from the public following these reports was fantastic.”

Russell, who lives in Partington, married Sarah last September, although they've been together for about 10 years and have a four-year-old son Isaac. He also has an older son Marcel, 15, from a previous marriage.

“With the brilliant support of my wife, Elaine, family and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, our quest will continue and with the grace of god, I will keep in good health until a bone marrow donor can be found.”

SEPTEMBER 2005

Elain Mills , Russell's sister and campaign manager who has helped to set up the clinics said:-
"This result for Russell just goes to show what I believed all along that all life is sacred and everyone has the potential to make a difference in this world. Without this young man in America, who knows where Russell and our family would be now. As a community we have to ensure that we do the right thing as this young man did and come out to support one another".

"On Thursday 18th August my prayers were finally answered when I received my bone marrow transplant after undergoing more chemotherapy and radiotherapy in order to prepare my body for the transplant. We are all hoping and praying that it will be successful although it is early days yet but things are heading in the right direction.
I also want to take the opportunity to thank every one who came forward to donate blood at our two clinics. We were able to register 127 potential donors (see photos).
Once again thank you very much for all who attended and who could be a potential donor for someone else. Hopefully we will be running more clinics in the future to raise awareness and to increase the numbers on the bone marrow register."
Yours Truly
Russ.

Content Reproduced by Kind Permission of the ACLT

Registration Clinics
The first clinic we had was at Moss Side Leisure Centre, Moss Side, Manchester, M16 5NN. We had a fantastic turn out which resulted in 66 potential doners on the register.

The second clinic was held at ASDA, Stanley Grove, Longsight, Manchester, M12 4NH. Once again a fantastic turn out with 61 potential doners on the register. We hope to have more clinics in the near future with the same if not more people attending.

Our family would like to thank all who attended and supported the campaign. Many many thanks.