A Cause for ‘Birthday’ Celebrations – As Donor is Found for Jasmi

A global search to help find a potential blood stem cell donor for Jasmi Lindberg Cooke, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, has resulted in a matching donor being found.

#JoinForJasmi campaign

Jasmi, who turned eight on 14 October celebrated in true style after receiving the positive news. The #JoinForJasmi campaign attracted celebrity support from Ed Sheeran, Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys and Frank Turner and saw thousands of people register as a potential lifesaver.

For the past three years Jasmi has been battling with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Devastatingly she relapsed for a second time and has been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Her family and friends along with us have been on a mission to find her match.

Happy Birthday message from Ed

Ed Sheeran took the time out to send a birthday video message saying: “I hope you’re having a fantastic birthday and eating loads of cake and have party poppers. Have a fantastic day and sending you all the love in the world. I’m in Austria filming a music video and it’s very cold but we’ll get warm soon. Lots of love.”

Posting an Instagram message to encourage his fans to register for a home swab kit at www.dkms.org.uk back in July this year. Ed said: “I’m delighted to hear that a matching donor has been found, a huge thanks to the person that took the time to register. Wishing Jasmi and her family all the very best with everything and my thoughts are with you. I would urge anyone who hasn’t registered as a potential lifesaver and can to register at www.dkms.org.uk.”

A tough road ahead

Jasmi’s mum Rena said: “Jasmi has been through so much but still manages to keep smiling and keep us all laughing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has taken the time to support the #JoinForJasmi campaign and register as a potential blood stem cell donor.

“We’re over the moon that a donor has been found but know that we still have a long and tough road ahead of us over the next few months.”

How you can help

If you are aged between 17-55 and in general good health please register for your home swab kit and you’ll go on standby to give someone like Jasmi a second chance of life.