GARY’S A HERO..NOW HE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Appeal to find firefighter a cell donor
A FIREFIGHTER is searching for a life-saving stem cell donor after a clinical trial left him battling blood cancer.
Gary Dall, who has put his life on the line with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for almost 30 years, has an aggressive form of myelodysplasia – where bone marrow fails to make enough healthy blood cells.
The group manager from Kirkcaldy developed the disease after agreeing to take part in a trial treatment in a bid to combat Crohn’s disease seven years ago.
Now the fire service have launched an appeal to find the stem cell donor needed to save the dad-of-four’s life.
Gary, 49, said: “It was just one of those things that a treatment for one disease led to me getting another.
“I am hugely grateful of the support from the fire service. The support from colleagues and senior officers has been really appreciated.”
The fire service will hold an open patient appeal at Kirkcaldy fire station on Saturday, September 16. It’s thought there is a 60 per cent chance that a match can be found for Gary.
Group manager Mark Bryce, also based at Kirkcaldy fire station, said: “Gary is a real hero who has an outstanding record.
“He now needs a hero of his own and we are doing everything in our power to find that person.”
The appeal is an extension of the fire service’s partnership with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan which has seen 25 lives saved and more than 8500 people sign up to the stem cell register.
Gary, who is receiving chemotherapy for seven days every fourth week, urged everyone to think about being screened.
He said: “Even if you aren’t a match for me, there are so many others in a similar situation who you may be able to help.”
Gary is a fan of Raith Rovers and team members signed up to the register after hearing he was in need of a transplant.
Anyone between 16 and 30 and in good health can provide a saliva sample to join the stem cell register. For more info, visit www.anthonynolan.org/sfrs