Salma's story
“I went from planning my wedding to sitting in a hospital, planning my funeral and writing a will.”
Salma, 45, from Watford, has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). A stem cell transplant could give her a second chance at life but, tragically, she has no matching donor on the stem cell register.
“Finding a stem cell donor would mean I can focus on my future, walk down the aisle, and spend the rest of my life with the love of my life - my fiancé, Marlon," shares Salma. "He is the reason I’m fighting this battle – I want to marry the love of my life. I want to be by his side for the rest of our lives.”
“The weekend before my diagnosis, I was trying on wedding dresses. I had everything booked and planned. I was gutted to have to cancel the wedding. The day I went to the hospital, I had to pack up my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses and return them.”
The reality is that for people of mixed ethnicities like Salma - who is of Moroccan and Persian heritage - finding a match is even more challenging. Salma explains, “If just one person can be saved because of the efforts made through this appeal, especially those of mixed ethnicities, it would make it all worthwhile.”
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a blood cancer that is common in children but can occur at any age. Salma shares: “As much as this is difficult for me, I know children are also going through this and being brave – that humbles me. Knowing my cancer is most common in children, makes me want to help them.
“I want to use whatever time I have now, well. The only thing you leave behind is your impact on other people’s lives. I have no idea how this will all turn out, but I know I’ll be okay."