'I was glad to be cell match and it was easy to do'

SAM VOLPE on a Gateshead man who signed a register and gave someone whom he doesn't even know a second chance

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NORTH East dad Paul Parkinson has made an "amazing decision" that could have saved a life - he’s donated stem cells to a total stranger.

Paul, 38, works as a residential property surveyor and lives with his wife, five-year-old son and their dogs in Gateshead.

In 2020, inspired by the story of ex-footballer and reality TV star Ashley Cain and his daughter Azaylia Diamond who was diagnosed with leukaemia as a tot and died after a heartbreaking battle, as reported by ChronicleLive both Paul and his wife joined the stem cell register run by blood cancer charity DKMS.

But once they had done that, it slipped from their minds.

That's until Paul received a couple of emails from the charity.

He didn't even open them at first, but then received a phone call while at work. He was told that a blood cancer patient was undergoing treatment, needed a stem cell transplant, and he was a match.

For Paul, as soon as he understood what he was being asked, it was a no-brainer.

He said: "It was surprising getting the call. I'd sort of forgotten about joining the register, so it took a minute to get my head around it.

"As soon as I realised what was being asked, I was very happy to help. I knew when I signed up, that if I could be the one help someone, I'd be very glad to do it."