Transplant search for cancer girl

Anna's father, Eddie, hopes to find a bone marrow match soon

Temporary bone marrow clinics are being set up in north Wales to help find a donor for a seven-year-old girl who has a rare cancer.

Anna Culshaw from Denbighshire needs regular blood transfusions but will ultimately require a bone marrow transplant to survive.

Her school and the Wrexham bakery where her mother works have agreed to hold clinics to help find a match.

Experts have said a donor is more likely to be found near her home.

One of her consultant's in Alder Hey Hospital has said there's a very good chance of finding a match locally Eddie Culshaw, Anna's father

The first clinic at Ysgol Caer Drewyn in Corwen has been organised by the Anthony Nolan Trust charity and will be held on 18 April between 1700-2000 BST.

Acting head teacher Jayne Davies said the school was happy to help.

"Anna's a Year Two pupil at the school and the family explained to us about Anna's illness," she said.

"It could make all the difference to Anna," she added.

Her mother Sian's employers, Village Bakery in Coedpoeth, have also offered to hold a donor session at their headquarters. That is expected to be on 19 April.

Anna's condition stops her bone marrow making enough red blood cells, and she needs regular blood transfusions.

The family live at Carrog near Corwen and her father Eddie said the youngster is doing "quite well at the moment".

Genetics

"There's no other cure, she has to have a bone marrow transplant.

"As the month's go on she will become more prone to infection.

"One of her consultant's in Alder Hey Hospital (in Liverpool) has said there's a very good chance of finding a match locally.

"There is a link to the genetics of an area....I suppose it's the genetics of Welsh people," he said.

Anna's family hope hundreds of people will turn up to be tested.

Anyone willing to carry out the test must be between 18-40.