A teenager who is about to undergo stem cell treatment is spearheading a campaign to help save the lives of other people with leukaemia.
Laura Campbell, aged 16, of North Connel, near Oban, has found a donor and is about to receive intensive treatment before her transplant operation on October 6.
But that has not stopped her launching Laura’s Appeal, campaigning to find donors for children in the same situation as her.
The Oban High School pupil has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for a third time, after being given the all clear twice previously.
She was first diagnosed in 2001. The illness relapsed in 2006 and again in March this year.
Now Laura has enlisted the help of the fire service, which has a long running partnership with leukaemia charity Anthony Nolan.
Oban Community Fire Station is hosting a donor recruitment and registration event on Friday September 30 from 4pm-9pm.
Watch manager John Sweeney will be visiting Oban High School during the day to give a talk to fifth and sixth year pupils about joining the register.
Laura said: “I had a donor lined up earlier this year and it fell through. Now I have a new donor and I am getting my stem cell transplant on October 6. I want to help other people with leukaemia to find a donor.”
Mr Sweeney said: “Laura begins intensive treatment on Sunday in the Royal Hospital for Children at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
“It is obviously an extremely difficult time for Laura and her family, so for Laura to put her efforts into organising this event, and helping others, is an inspiration to us.
Laura has also received the support of MP for Argyll and Bute Brendan O’Hara, who she met during his surgery at Oban’s Tesco store.
Mr O’Hara said: “What I find most wonderful about Laura is that she herself isn’t looking for that match. She has got the match. It would be so easy not to do this, but she has chosen to do it for other people. I find it absolutely inspiring. Her courage, her stoicism is inspiring.”
