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'One in 25 million': Online search finds stem cell donor for leukaemia patient

An online search has tracked down a suitable donor for Thai-Italian leukaemia patient Lara Casalotti in a 1-in-25-million stem cell match.

Leukaemia patient Lara Casalotti has found a stem cell donor.
Leukaemia patient Lara Casalotti has found a stem cell donor. Source: YouTube

Leukaemia patient Lara Casalotti has found a stem cell donor, according to the campaign set up to track down a suitable match.

The case was complicated by 24-year-old Casalotti's half-Thai and half-Italian heritage, which significantly lengthened the odds of a match.

The online Match4Lara campaign garnered support from author JK Rowling, British Premier David Cameron and celebrity Stephen Fry, among other personalities.

On Tuesday, the campaign released a video saying that a "well matching donor has been found".

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"It's kind of incredible and amazing to think that this person is 1 in 25 million," Casalotti said in the video.

"If all goes according to the plan, I will go to transplant soon."

Casalotti said the campaign would continue as mix-race donors are still under-represented in databases across the world.

She's spent extensive time in hospital.
She's spent extensive time in hospital. Source: YouTube

"We would like to encourage everyone to sign up on the stem cell registers. This simple act can help save someone's life," Casalotti told DPA by email.

Casalotti, a student at university in London, said she was most looking forward to "finishing my degree and carrying on with my life as I was before".

People handing out leaflets during the blood cancer charity.
People handing out leaflets during the blood cancer charity. Source: AAP

1 min read

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Source: AAP



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