Doctors use blood tests to find a donor match

Paul Simm, 28, of Aspatria, must have a bone marrow transplant if he is to win his battle against aplastic anaemia - a rare condition caused by the failure of his own bone marrow to produce blood cells.

A village hall in Gilcrux was the venue for a public donor session, in an effort to find a stem cell match.

Almost 200 people turned out to offer samples, which could prove suitable for a life-saving transplant for the father-of-two.

Mr Simm gave up his job as a truck driver when the life-threatening illness was diagnosed in 1999.

Since then he has tried a range of treatments without success and says that a transplant is his last chance.

Mr Simm said: ""I was touched by the amount of people who gave up their time to be tested.

Already tested

"I would like to thank all those who organised the clinic.

"I need a transplant and they have done everything else for me and this is the only option left."

The blood samples will now undergo a week of testing by biologists working for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Members of Mr Simm's family have already been tested, but the matches were not close enough.

The Anthony Nolan Trust, which has a pool of more than 330,000 potential donors, organised the donor session.

Angela McVicar, donor recruitment officer with the trust, said: "We are hopeful the clinic will turn up a match for Paul.

Fighting disease

"Although we cannot be overly confident, it is logical that the larger the register of donors, the better the chances."

Potential donors, aged between 18 and 40, were asked to give about a teaspoon-full of blood.

The samples will also be used to try to find a match for others who need bone marrow transplants throughout the UK.

Aplastic anaemia results in bone marrow being unable to produce red and white blood cells and platelets - essential for the transportation of oxygen around the body, fighting disease and clotting blood.

Mr Simm undergoes monthly blood transfusion sessions, which provide short-term help.