400 sign up at Colne mum's donor drive (From Lancashire Telegraph)

400 sign up at Colne mum's donor drive

1:41pm Monday 15th December 2008 in News

MORE than 400 would-be donors have rallied round to help a Colne woman who desperately needs a bone marrow transplant.

Volunteers swamped Burnley Fire Station, on Belvedere Road, when a donor night took place for Julie Patefield, 37, of Castle Road.

Mother-of-two Julie, who was diagnosed with leukaemia two months ago and has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy, has a rare blood group and is hunting for a successful donor.

The donor drive was held at the fire station where her husband Andy is a firefighter.

A spokesman for the Help Julie campaign said: “This was an amazing turnout and exceeded our expectations, resulting in a lot of people being turned away unfortunately.

“We can’t thank people enough for giving up their time to help save lives.”

Another donor drive will be held at Nelson Fire Station, in Bradley Street, between 4pm and 8pm on January 20. Donors must be aged between 18 and 40.

For more about the campaign for Julie, call Vanessa Norwood on 07791 681736 or visit the website www.helpjulie.co.uk.

• Plea for bone marrow donor to help save Colne mum
• helpjulie.co.uk