More than 200 people join bone marrow drive in Ilford to save boy’s life
Rayaan and family - Credit: Archant
More than 200 people registered as bone marrow donors in Ilford on Saturday to help save a little boy’s life.
The family of six-year-old Rayaan Siddiqui held the drive outside Waterstones, in High Road, to attempt to find a match for a desperately needed transplant.
Rayaan, of Welling, has a rare blood cancer called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). which can lead to multiple organ failure and has an 100 per cent fatality rate if not sucessfuly treated.
Rayaan’s dad Ghazali Siddiqui said the medication and chemotherapy treatment his son is undergoing is “nothing more than a stop gap”.
He added: “I get the feeling people are scared by the prospect of hospitalisation when really it’s a simple procedure. We need people to come forward now.”
You may also want to watch:
His cousin Shakir Hafeez, of St Helens Road, Ilford, said a suitable donor needs to be found by early September.
Mr Hafeez will be running another drive in Valentines Park, Cranbrook Road, during the festival to celebrate Eid.
Most Read
- 1 Police appeal to find girl, 12, last seen in Wanstead Park
- 2 Primary schools in Redbridge rated outstanding by Ofsted
- 3 Seven Kings man charged in connection with alleged sex assault on boy
- 4 Man charged with Ilford robbery
- 5 East London road and rail disruptions to travel this weekend
- 6 Walk-in Covid vaccinations on offer at Valentines Park health fair
- 7 Ilford mother 'could have been saved' and NHS 'failed' her, family tells inquest
- 8 Man wanted for allegedly driving 'recklessly' in Ilford with baby in car
- 9 Plans for retail park development move step closer
- 10 Dispersal order issued ahead of fears over ‘illegal music events’
Rayaan’s relatives and charity workers from Delete Blood Cancer UK will be swab testing and registering more donors.
Asian donors are especially needed for a potential match. Visit the Hope 4 Rayaan Facebook page for more information on how to help.
