Update Spring 2010 – Katrina Baylis Jamaican English Mixed Race appeal

Living in Colchester in Essex, Katrina 25, continues to receive treatment pending a transplant

Original appeal launch date - December 2008

My name is Katrina Baylis, I am a 24 years old University student, currently living in Colchester, Essex .  I am of mixed race.  Both my parents were born in Jamaica and are of mixed race descent(black/white).  I am the eldest of four children Kerrie 21, Shane, 19 and Corey, 17.
 
At the tender age of 15 I was first diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia. All of my siblings were tested as potential bone marrow donors, but unfortunately none were a suitable match.  I was admitted to Addenbrooks Hospital as an emergency case & they began administering ALG treatment almost immediately as my blood counts at this time were dangerously low.  I was fortunate that I responded quite well to this and my counts began to gradually improve.  It took a long three years but at the age of 18   I went into remission. 

So in December 2003 I was taken off all medication and was able, with regular blood tests and check-ups to resume a “normal” life.  Although the Aplastic Anaemia had left me with the P.N.H. clone.  This was a new condition that had to be monitored on a regular basis as there was the threat that it could develop into Leukaemia if left to multiply.
 
Still under the watchful eye of the Colchester General Hospital. I finished college, travelled, and did my first degree in Business Management at the University of Essex. I was attending Essex furthering my education by doing “Masters” in International Management.
 
Throughout 2008 my blood counts unfortunately began to slowly decrease.  As time went on, the pace at which they began to drop increased, which led to me having a bone-marrow biopsy. On the 19th of December 2008 it was discovered that my Aplastic Anaemia had returned. I was then referred to Kings College Hospital in London for further extensive tests and yet another bone-marrow biopsy which identified that not only did I have Aplastic Anaemia but it had come back in conjunction with Myeloid Dysplasia both of these resulted in lower numbers of stem cells being produced by my bone marrow as well as abnormal looking stem cells.

It was then brought to me and my family’s attention that the Myeloid Dysplasia would eventually turn into leukaemia and my only cure and chance of a survival was a bone marrow transplant.  

Please help me and others like me to have a chance of a healthy future.

Please come along to an ACLT bone marrow registration drives to see if you could be my life saver!

Katrina Baylis

Please CLICK HERE to read about the 2 donation procedures

If you would like to join the bone marrow register to help Katrina and the many thousands of people who are searching for a bone marrow match world wide, then please click here to visit our Clinics page to check the dates of our next recruitment clinic. Thank You.