A STUDENT faces an anxious wait for a bone marrow transplant to cure a rare blood disorder – after finding out her siblings were not suitable donors.

Alice Byron, 20, from Launton, near Bicester, is now pinning her hopes on a stranger coming forward in her battle to beat myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), most commonly found in people over 65.

Doctors have told the Cardiff University student the condition is likely to turn into leukaemia in the next few years. She has also been told the condition will leave her infertile.

Despite the devastating news, Miss Byron has refused to sit back and wait, and is campaigning for donors and blogging her progress online.

She said: “I had no idea for a long time. My parents were obviously very emotional when we found out but I think it took a while for it to sink in for me.”

She said it had been very hard for the family when they found that her brother Hugo, 18, and sister Isobel, 15, could not help.

“I thought it would be easily treatable but when cancer came up and they said there was nothing they could do I was just shocked.

“I do get worried when I think of the next few years. I feel like I am just waiting to get leukaemia because that is probably how it will end.”

For months Miss Byron, who is studying English Literature, ignored symptoms such as tiredness and bruising and becoming short of breath. When she started being sick she went for a blood test and is now having transfusions every three weeks.

Miss Byron added: “My recovery is now in the hands of other people, which is a strange, uncertain feeling – although it is amazing knowing there are people out there who are willing to help.”

To view Alice’s blog see alicebyron.com, or to sign up as a donor see anthonynolan.org.