British woman’s donated blood helping cancer-stricken US tot
DONOR blood from a British woman is helping attempts to save the life of a two-year-old American girl with one of the world’s rarest blood types.
The anonymous 50-year-old was found to be a match for toddler Zainab Mughal, who has neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.
Her blood is missing an antigen called Indian B, which most people have. The global donor search is confined to people whose birth parents are both 100% of Pakistani, Indian or Iranian origin. Even then, only 4% will have the genetic variation, charity OneBlood said.
Donors must also be blood type O or A.
The British-Indian donor, a mum from Nottingham, said: “I am very humbled that I have played a small part in aiding someone’s recovery from illness. I hope the publicity encourages more people to donate, especially from the Asian community.” Two more donors have been found, but doctors will need at least seven while treating Zainab, of Miami, Florida. The appeal was circulated via the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, in Filton, Glos, run by NHS Blood and Transplant.