Casalotti, of Hampstead, London, discovered her acute condition prior to Christmas, after thinking she had pulled a muscle in her back. While being treated at London’s University College Hospital, the student, who speaks five languages, was told she has little chance of survival as only 0.5 percent of registered donors on the Anthony Nolan bone marrow database match her statistics. The database is a UK charity for recruiting potential donors.
Casalotti's family launched the online #Match4Lara in an urgent appeal to find a donor for Lara as quickly as possible.
Our 24-year old daughter, Lara, has leukaemia and needs a stem cell transplant.All the support so far has been amazing,…
Posted by Match4lara on Saturday, January 9, 2016
The campaign seeks to find not only a perfect transplant match but also to promote a deeper understanding for those of mixed ethnic-minority race who suffer for a lack of donors.
The only potential donor in the Casalotti family whose ethnicity matches that of Casalotti’s is Lara’s brother Seb, and he is not a precise match.
Seb Casalotti said, “I remember being told by the volunteers that people from mixed race and ethnic minority backgrounds were underrepresented on the register. So when we were told that Lara needed a donor, I knew that she’d find it harder to find a match due to our diverse background.”
“But I was shocked to find out there was only a one in four chance of me, as her brother, being a match for Lara,” he said.
“It’s ironic because I think most people would say they’d donate stem cells for a loved one, but wouldn’t do it just for any person. But more often than not, you can’t actually help your family – so we’ve got to think as a community.”
English writers Stephen Fry and J.K. Rowling, as well as many other prominent figures, have spread the word to save Lara’s life.
Do you believe in equal opportunity? Stem cell transplants won't be equal opportunity until all of us register: http://www.match4lara.com/#!A-Match-for-Any-Mix/e0nbq/569170580cf2f5ee60f6a794
Posted by Match4lara on Monday, January 11, 2016
As a former UN and Human Rights Watch employee, Lara Casalotti expressed gratitude to those attempting to assist her and the causes she has espoused.
"I really can't express how grateful and touched I am by everyone who has helped raise awareness and has signed up to bone marrow registries in response to the campaign,” she said.
Visit the match4lara.com and anthonynolan.org websites for more details and share the #Match4Lara on social media.