YOUNG Dylan Wildman is facing another battle against the killer disease leukaemia - knowing that a stranger could save his life.

His desperate parents today launched an appeal to find a bone marrow donor.

Russell and Caroline Wildman of Jubilee Street, Darwen, fear time is running out for the brave nine-year-old unless a vital transplant is carried out soon.

They are urging people aged under 40 to sign up with the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust to widen the chances of finding a match.

Russell said: "It is all down to luck. The search has been going on since October and all our family and friends have now been tested so we are really starting to panic.

" Without the transplant the future is very uncertain."

Dylan, a keen Liverpool FC supporter, was first diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 22 months and has been in remission for the last two years. His family thought his brave battle was finally over until a test in October revealed the leukaemia had returned. He is currently being treated at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, for liver complications. He will lose his hair within the next few weeks.

Caroline added: "Everything was going to plan until the he had a routine bone marrow test before he was due to go on reduced treatment.

"He is getting fed up because he is missing so much. He loves school and got an excellent report from his home tutor.

"Dylan has really been through it and the transplant could really transform his quality of life."

Anyone willing to have a blood test and go on the national register of bone marrow donors through The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust should ring 0171 284 1234.

Dylan was sent on a dream holiday to Disney World, Florida, after readers of the The Lancashire Evening Telegraph's sister paper, The Citizen, first heard of his plight two years ago.

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