From left: Alison Belsham with her donor Rachel Rees. (Welsh Blood Service via SWNS)
Heartwarming Reunion
A touching reunion took place between a cancer survivor and her stem cell donor who saved her life. Alison Belsham, 57, and donor Rachel Rees, 31, shared a special moment as they met for the first time, captured in a heartwarming photo.
Unexpected Meeting
Rachel, who flew home from Australia with the intention of visiting friends and family in Llanelli, Wales, was taken by surprise when Alison and her family organized a surprise gathering for the two to finally meet face to face.
Life-Saving Donation
The heartwarming encounter came after an urgent global search in 2017, when Alison, from Newport, Wales, was diagnosed with leukemia for the second time. Rachel's healthy stem cells were used in the transplant, replacing Alison's cancerous cells and leading to her being cancer-free ever since.
Encouraging Others
Alison and Rachel hope that their inspiring story will motivate more people to register with the Welsh Blood Service and assist in the battle against blood cancer. While expressing her gratitude, Alison emphasized the importance of finding a donor for a life-saving stem cell transplant, highlighting the critical role donors play in saving lives.
From right: Alison Belsham and donor Rachel Rees meet for the first time at a surprise get-together. (Welsh Blood Service via SWNS)
Gratitude and Hope
Rachel expressed her pride in Alison's recovery and thanked her for the opportunity to meet in person. Alison, overwhelmed with emotions, emphasized the significance of Rachel's selfless act and the chance it has provided her to enjoy a full life with her loved ones.
Urgent Need for Donors
Christopher Harvey, Head of the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, highlighted the daily struggle faced by blood cancer patients in finding suitable stem cell matches. He emphasized the need for more diverse donors to join the registry, as the chance of finding a life-saving match increases with a larger and more diverse pool of volunteers.
“It’s never been easier to join. Whether you’re eligible, or know someone who might be, please talk about this life-changing Registry and help give more patients a chance to overcome their illness.”