Anonymous donor gives girl 'second chance at life'

A woman from Coventry has been given potentially life-saving treatment after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia in June.

Lilly Dye received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor after going through chemotherapy treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Her mother, Claire Attwood, said that her daughter's diagnosis took the family by shock, but that they are unbelievably thankful to the donor.

"Knowing that there is someone willing to donate their stem cells and give me another chance at life means more to me than I could ever put into words", Dye said.

Attwood said that her daughter had been "fighting for her life in hospital", but now she has "had her life-saving stem cell transplant".

"A stranger gave his stem cells to my daughter and hopefully one day we meet him, because I hope he realises he's saved my little girl's life," she said.

"Lilly wasn't really poorly before the diagnosis so you can imagine as a family what that has done to us."

Dye, who missed her university graduation shortly after her diagnosis, said she has been "incredibly lucky" to have the support of the "most amazing family and friends through every step of this journey".

"Their love, kindness and encouragement have carried me through some of the hardest days", she added.

She said that during her time at the hospital she "found comfort in the little things" including reading, diamond art and creative activities.

"I even managed to bring some of that creativity into the hospital by bedazzling the nurses name badges – it is one of the little things that has made hospital life feel a bit brighter".

Dye has launched her own fundraiser for the charity, Blood Cancer UK, who she said has "helped make an incredibly difficult time a little easier".

Her family, in partnership with Coventry and North Warwickshire Bears Netball Team, held a special fundraising event for Lilly on Saturday, where they raised more than £2,000 for cancer charities, including Teenage Cancer Trust and Young Lives vs Cancer.

Dye's sister, Chelsey, said she was amazed at how much money was raised at the event.

"Until you are going through something like this you don't realise what the charities all do," she said.

Through tears, she added: "To think my little sister has just turned 21 in hospital. She is my biggest inspiration".

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