29/09/2026
To unexpected lifechanging friendships 🥂
We were once again reminded of the strong connections formed through the stem cell register. In 2014, Ivor was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), his best chance of survival was to receive a stem cell transplant. Ivor was told that his genetic makeup was unusual and finding a donor would prove difficult.
Mark, already on the blood joined the donor register after seeing a Facebook post about a boy in America. He wasn’t a match for him but amazingly was for Ivor.
His selflessness has given Ivor an incredible second chance at life, and, so far an additional eleven years! Time to be there for his children and grandchildren.
Seven years later, long after the anonymity period ended the pair finally connected, and met for the first time at DKMS’s 10th anniversary in the UK. ❤️
The pair now share a strong donor/recipient bond along with a love for motorbikes, with Ivor even gifting Mark the Triumph Bonneville motorbike he had bought from his transplant nurse! 🏍️
They were on the team’s registration stand along with the Bonneville at East Anglian Copdock Bike Show, combining these two passions together.
Through sharing their story they touched the hearts of many attendees and together we managed to register a total of 47 new potential lifesavers.
They’ve been on one unforgettable journey, creating a connection to last a lifetime. Through sharing their story they hope to inspire others to get involved, raise awareness and register.
