We were deeply saddened to learn of Joel Esan’s death earlier this month.
Following a diagnosis in 2018 of a rare type of leukaemia called Acute Leukaemia of Ambiguous Lineage (ALAL), Joel had to undergo a total of four rounds of chemotherapy, a course of radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Despite initially recovering, his Leukaemia returned in January of this year and in April, Joel and his family were told that no further treatment would help to cure him of the disease.
Due to Joel’s ethnic heritage, he was unable to find a donor with a 10/10 match. Therefore, he had to have a transplant from his mother, who was only a 5/10 match. Unfortunately, because this type of cancer is so aggressive, the transplant was unsuccessful
In his memory, Joel’s family have set up a fundraising campaign to raise money for the various charities who helped him. You can find out more about Joel’s story here.
White Europeans have a 70% chance of finding the best possible matching stem cell donor, however those from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds have less than a 20% chance.
It is essential that those of you who are aged 16–30, and who may not identify as White, apply to join the Anthony Nolan register to give people like Joel a second chance at life. Share his story with your friends and family, and please sign up at anthonynolan.org/savealife