Adrian Sudbury was a reporter for both the Huddersfield Express and Chronicle Series and the Huddersfield Examiner. In November 2006 the 25-year-old was promoted to digital journalist, effectively editing the new-look Examiner website.
Just two days into his new role he became seriously ill and called in sick. A week later he drove himself to A&E and was eventually diagnosed with leukaemia.
It was then identified that he actually had two distinct types of the disease running at the same time. According to the medical literature he was the only person in the world to have this condition. As such, it was not possible to offer Adrian a prognosis.
Here he shared his experiences of the disease and his treatment up until his passing.YOU could become a lifesaver this week - by signing up as a bone marrow donor.
As part of Adrian's campaign to recruit more bone marrow donors to the register, the Examiner has arranged clinics where people can call in and sign up.
The first - organised with the Anthony Nolan Trust - will be held at Huddersfield Methodist Mission on Lord Street on Wednesday (June 18) from 2pm to 7pm.
Adrian is urging people to go along and sign up. "You have a wonderful and unique opportunity to save someone else's life, not just here in the UK, but anywhere on the planet.
“Over 16,000 people worldwide are waiting to find a bone marrow match. Without one these mothers, sisters, brothers, wives and husbands will die. With your help maybe they don't have to.
"I'm grateful for the incredible way everyone in Huddersfield has got behind the Examiner's campaign already."
He said people are often reluctant to sign up because they believe they would have to undergo a horrific and dangerous procedure if they were a match for someone who needed a transplant. But in fact, the procedure is safe - there is no spine drilling or risk of paralysis - and in most cases, it is not too dissimilar to giving blood.
Adrian said: "Bone marrow donation is not the scary procedure everyone thinks it is. If you don't believe me, please have a look at the videos on this blog under the recent entry 'A plea for more bone marrow donors'.�
Each person who attends the clinic will be asked to fill in a form and will have a small sample of blood taken for tissue typing. You can sign up to be a donor if you are aged between 18 and 40 and in good health.
You should be prepared to stay on the register until the age of 60 and be happy to keep the Anthony Nolan Trust informed of changes to your contact details and circumstances, such as health problems.
*There will be another Anthony Nolan Trust/Examiner clinic at Huddersfield Town Hall on July 8 from 2pm to 7pm. Kirklees Council has donated the town hall reception room free of charge - so thanks to them.
*There will also be a donor registration clinic on July 27 at the Galpharm Stadium, from 11.30am to 2.30pm. This clinic has been organised by the Examiner and the National Blood Service, which keeps the other UK bone marrow donor register. Their rules are slightly different. You can sign up to the National Blood Service register - known as the British Bone Marrow Register - if you are aged 18 to 49 and in good health. But to join this register, you must be eligible to be a blood donor.
Simply drop in to the clinic and make sure you ask the nurse about being put on the register at the beginning of the session. A small sample of blood will be taken for tissue typing, then the main blood donation will begin. Even if you are too young to or too old to become a bone marrow
donor, you can still give blood at the session if you are aged 17 to 59.
*****A special note here to all the gay men who have posted comments on this blog, saying how much they'd like to be allowed to sign up as bone marrow donors. Now you can! The Anthony Nolan Trust recently changed its policy. Previously, gay men had been excluded from becoming donors, because they were deemed at high risk of carrying blood-borne diseases. Now, anyone
gay or straight can join as a donor - as long as they do not engage in 'high risk' practices which could leave them exposed to disease, such as sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
Please note though, the National Blood Service has not yet changed its policy on gay men - so if you're in this category and want to sign up, make sure it's an Anthony Nolan Trust clinic you attend.
IMPORTANT: You only have to be on one register, as both are searched when a patient needs a bone marrow transplant.
Sorry to be pedantic but there is conflicting advice on this blog!
It says 18-40 on one part then 18-49 on the other.
Please could you clarify it love?
If it is 18-49 my husband and I will register at the speed of sound but when we went we were told we were too old.
God bless xx
Hi there,
I'm very impressed by the work Adrian has been doing to encourage more bone marrow donors. Its an amazingly selfless thing to do when faced with limited time.
In 2001 I donated bone marrow through stem cell collection after several years on the Anthony Nolan register.
I found the process fairly straightforward and I'm certain it's a lot less painful than suffering leukemia or other illness dependent on a stem cell donation as a cure.
If you are able to give blood then stem cell collection is very similar, it just takes up a bit more of your time. Prior to the collection, injections are given over a few days - painless, but left me feeling a bit fatigued and that was all.
I hope all Adrians efforts really make a difference as that would be the least any of us could do to help.
Go on, join the register, its not that difficult!
Julie Clarke, Leeds
Hi,
Just wanted to say that the ANT is running a recruitment drive in Bedford on Wed this week. Get along if you are in the area.
Graham is from Bedford and his old band mates Martin and Guy have helped organise this with Debby Jepps of the ANT.
Drop her a line on Debby.Jepps@anthonynolan.org.uk if you need more info.
The drive will be covered on ITV Anglia and Graham will be doing a telephone interview from here in the USA.
Sam
More info on the Bedford Drive
Sam
Yvette, the two registers have different age restrictions.
Anthony Nolan Trust accept registrants who are 18-40 and the National Blood Service accepts 18-49 year olds.
Is there anyway to sign up online? As I type this the answer comes to me - no, cause I sample can't be taken. Bother! I'm in Trinidad (but am a British citizen) and would love to register. Will look in to what can be done here.
That's my blood sample just popped in the post. Good luck ma man.
I have been reading your blog for the past couple of months all be it through tears. My Grandfather passed from Lukemia, our cousin passed from Lukemia types of cancer and last year my brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer which is now, thank G-d in remission. This touches very close to home even thought you are an ocean away.
We live in California, family and friends including many from Team in Training (blood cancer fund raising group)are all following your journey.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and in our hearts as you so couragously take each day as it is presented. Your fight has been a gift to so many, you have no idea how many lives you will touch through your work.
Thank you for your selfless effort and I wish for you and your family peace, comfort and undying love.
Thank you my courageous friend,
Heather Marton
I've just finished uni so as soon as I get transfered back to home I am going to sign up on one of the resisters.
Stay Strong.
Sarah
IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE READ THIS WEB PAGE AND I AM VERY IMMPRESSED AND DEEPLY SAD FOR THIS YOUNG MANS FIGHT FOR LIFE. HAVING BEEN IN THIS SITUATION WITH MY OWN SON WHO WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HIS BROTHERS BONE MARROW BUT SADLY THIS DID NOT STOP THIS EVIL DISEASE. MY HEART AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL HIS FAMILY AND FREINDS.HE SOUNDS A VERY SPECIAL AND REMARKABLE BRAVE VICTIM OF MR LUKE EAMIA.
GOOD LUKE AND HOPE AND PRAY FOR A MIRACLE YOU DESERVE ONE. LOVE, AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY AND FRIENDS. CHERRY AND FAMILY
Hi Adrian,
My name is Carol and I am Olie's Mum. Oliver has spoken so much about your plight and what an inspiration you are. I have been reading your blogs and my heart goes out to you and your family. How courageous you all are. I wish your campaign every success and you have my word that I will support Oliver in everything he does to ensure that it continues. I admire your strength and unselfish drive where others may have given up.
My thoughts are with both yourself your family and all your many friends.
Carol Francis (nee D'Albertanson)
Hi, I would just like to confirm that the process of bone marrow donation has changed in the years (I did it for my sister Dorien 15 yrs ago- successfully) but it is still very urgent that people are made aware of the importance of being on a donor register. I can confirm that it is not a dreadful horrendous procedure and if I could do it anyone could. Being over 60 now I am too old to do it again but I would certainly advise anyone to go ahead - I mean, let's face it - what are we here for if we can't help others.
Cheers, Kate x.
i wish you lots of support through these difficult times.
hope you will soon come better and have a better life
from tania.good luck.xxx
Wow, its really great articles!
Thanks for sharing.