A YOUNG woman is pleading for a ‘last chance of life’ as she desperately seeks a stem cell donor.

Aimee Read, 24, a nursery nurse, says she is ‘numb and in shock’ at her recent diagnosis over a bone marrow condition.

She has urged people to join the donor register as she seeks a match for a second time.

When aged just two, Aimee was diagnosed with leukaemia and was treated with chemotherapy.

The cure worked successfully for a time, but the cancer returned when Aimee was four and she was told she needed a stem cell transplant.

Following a frantic eight-month search the former Haslingden High School student found a perfect matching donor and her life was saved.

She became known nationally after a surprise visit by David and Victoria Beckham, who helped with the original appeal for donors along with other celebrities.

However in the past month she has been given the news from doctors that she has developed another disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), in which the bone marrow doesn’t produce normal blood cells.

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She also has a condition called PNH, an extremely rare bone marrow disease in which red blood cells break apart in the bloodstream.

Doctors have decided that Aimee’s only chance at recovery is a second stem cell transplant.

Her mum Wendy said: “Aimee started feeling unwell in July and was severely anaemic.

“It was a struggle to find a donor the first time round so we desperately want to be proactive and give her the best chance we can.

“The more donors we have on the register, the better her chance of finding a match. A matching donor is Aimee’s last chance at life.”

Aimee’s brother, 20-year-old Jack, does not have a matching tissue type to his sister, so a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor is her best chance at survival.

She is also being supported by her dad Mark and boyfriend Kyle.

The donor cells would help her start producing the healthy red and white blood cells her own bone marrow cannot.

Mrs Read said: “Aimee’s condition is not straightforward. We also discovered recently that she has a head tumour. Thankfully it’s benign, but it can’t be treated until her MDS has been dealt with.

“We’re struggling. Aimee’s feeling numb, in shock. She can’t even cry, she’s in disbelief.”

Aimee’s family and friends are raising awareness of the Anthony Nolan stem cell register to encourage more people to register as a potential donor and they especially want young men to consider signing up.

A donor recruitment event at Ramsbottom Cricket Club in November saw 275 people join the register thanks to Aimee’s appeal.

Donating stem cells is a straightforward outpatient procedure similar to giving blood.

Young men are particularly in demand, as they are most likely to be chosen as donors but make up just 15 per cent of the donor register.

Alice Hirst, regional manager at Anthony Nolan, said: “Aimee has already been through so much in her life, and now a stranger could be her best chance of a cure.

“It’s amazing that Aimee and her family are doing so much to raise awareness of the register at such a difficult time.

“Joining the register is simple, just visit anthonynolan.org.”

People aged 16-30 can join the Anthony Nolan register.