AN INSPIRATIONAL woman who wrote a blog about the rare blood disease which eventually killed her has been given a posthumous award.

Alice Byron died in July at just 21 after suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a condition which impacts the development of blood cells, and later leukaemia.

During her treatment, the Bicester student was a keen supporter of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, helping to raise awareness for the charity, as well as nearly £28,000.

Her family accepted the Shirley Nolan Award for Special Recognition at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2016 on her behalf.

Miss Byron’s father, Jonathan, said: “I know that Alice would have felt so honoured to have won the Shirley Nolan Award for Special Recognition among such inspirational supporters of this incredible charity.

“We are and always will be immensely proud of her immeasurable strength, courage and love for life.”

The awards seek to commend supporters of Anthony Nolan and their efforts to help continue its pioneering work.

Miss Byron was diagnosed with MDS, which can lead to leukaemia, in June 2015.

She continued to live her life as normally as possible, returning to complete the final year of her English literature course at Cardiff University while having blood transfusions at the Churchill Hospital, in Oxford, every three weeks.

In February, she was diagnosed with leukaemia and, despite receiving chemotherapy, needed a stem cell transplant.

She handed in her dissertation in hospital while waiting for a stem cell match and completed her degree, achieving a 2:1.

During this time, Miss Bryon’s blog about her experience helped provide insight into life with blood cancer.

The blog encouraged thousands of people to sign up to the Anthony Nolan register, which matches potential stem cell donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.

A donor matched via the Anthony Nolan register and she underwent the transplant, but died a few weeks later on July 7.

Henny Braund, chief executive at Anthony Nolan, said: “Alice is a hugely deserving winner of this award. Her extraordinary support and passion for our lifesaving work epitomised the ethos of our charity, which is built on one person directly helping another.

“I continue to find myself inspired and humbled by the dedication and strength of people like Alice.”

Anthony Nolan uses its register to match potential stem cell donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.

It also carries out vital research to make stem cell transplants more successful, and supports patients through their transplant journey.

For more information go to anthonynolan.org