A woman who was diagnosed with a rare, acute form of blood cancer has spoken of the difficulty in finding a stem cell transplant match as a British Pakistani and that religious leaders need to become more involved in helping to raise awareness.

Ashia from Bolton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009. Her best chance of a cure was a stem cell transplant, which involved eradicating her diseased cells with chemotherapy and replacing them with cells from her sibling.

As a British Pakistani there is only a 20 percent chance of finding a match. 

Eight years on from her transplant, Ashia has joined Anthony Nolan to campaign in raising awareness of the need for people to join the register, to give those with blood cancer more hope of finding a donor.
 
Mother-of-four Ashia said, “I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009.
  
“At the time of diagnosis, my daughter was only 18 months old. I was so happy at the time, because while I had three lovely boys before my daughter, I was also longing for a girl, so it was wonderful when she finally arrived!
 
“When I was diagnosed I knew I just had to get through it for them. It has been a very difficult journey, especially in the beginning when I didn’t know what to expect or even anything about the illness I had.”

Ashia’s treatment entailed chemotherapy and later she found out that she needed a stem cell transplant. 

“To find a donor for me, all five of my siblings were tested to see if they would be matches. It really surprised me only one of them, my sister, was a match. 

"It was only then I truly realised how difficult it is to find a match for those who cannot rely on family.”
 
Today Ashia says she is feeling strong and happier and she is intent on raising awareness of the need for people from a South Asian background to join the register. 

Ashia also says that religious leaders need to play a role in helping to raise awareness. 

“Religiously, I think some people believe stem cell donation isn’t allowed. 

"When I was diagnosed I was unsure what was accepted and what wasn’t within my belief system. 

"I went to talk to my Imam to make sure I was able to have the transplant in line with my beliefs. He confirmed stem cell donation was absolutely fine.
 
“Religious leaders have an important role to play in raising awareness about stem cell donation. This would hopefully reach more people in minorities where donors are needed.
 
“I think more needs to be done to reach young people who are less likely to donate. Going into universities for talks and informing young people of the difference they could make is vital to attracting more donors.”
 
Ashia added, “Out of the 104 people who are diagnosed with blood cancer each day, 70 percent will need access to stem cell registers, like Anthony Nolan, to find an unrelated donor.  You are saving a family from being ripped apart. 

"Everyone is affected - children, parents, grandparents, siblings. You are not just helping one person, you are helping a family or even a community. It’s just so important for people to get involved.
 
“While my parents were desperate for me to have the transplant, they were also concerned about the effect becoming a donor would have on my sister’s health. 

"I think people are scared to become donors because it will impact their lives and health, but this isn’t the case.

“The more people get involved, the more donors can be found and the more lives can be saved – it’s simple.”