It saved my life: Cancer survivor backs stem cell donation centre

When Ross Baker moved to Leeds in early 2016, he imagined some parts of his life would change - that he'd have a new work commute, that the weather would be colder, and that he'd be further away from friends and family.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

After beating cancer, Ross married his partner Jen. Ross first met his stem cell donor Pascal in 2019.

What he didn't imagine was that in a few months time he'd be diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of 30. A stem cell transplant from a stranger saved his life, facilitated by UK charity Anthony Nolan.

Now, as Anthony Nolan has opened a new stem cell centre in Nottingham, Ross is encouraging those who are able to join the register.

It was after a few months of night sweats, joint pain, and headaches that Ross' girlfriend at the time, now his wife, urged him to see a doctor.

After tests, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

Ross said: "It was a massive shock. I didn't know what the prognosis was or anything.

"I had all my family up the next day and all my friends came across.

"I had a really good support system - it made me realise how lucky I was really."

Immediately, Ross began treatment which reduced the cancerous cells in his blood from 75 per cent to 0.4. per cent.

But to remove the cancer for good, doctors advised Ross to undergo a stem cell transplant.