Ashop assistantfrom Redruthisappealing for people to become bone marrow donors after meeting the stranger who saved her life.

Carol Timmins was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in January 2014.

The 58-year-old said: "Being told that I had bone marrow failure came as a great shock. I had no idea what it actually meant but soon realised that I was very, very sick.

"Id previously been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so feeling tired and lacking energy had been a way of life for several years. The initial treatment that I received was regular blood transfusions until May when I started an Antilymphocyte Globulin treatment.

"By September it was apparent that the treatment was not working and a bone marrow transplant was my best chance of survival."

Carolhad a bone marrow transplant inDecember 2014from a stranger. Patients and donors must remain anonymous for two years after a transplant takes place.

After this period has passed, if both the patient and donor would like to meet, they can contact blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, who are then able to put them in contact with each other.

In September 2019, Carol and her husband Paul, travelled from Cornwall to Detroit, USA, to meet her lifesaver.

She added: "Ninety days after my transplant I had decided that it was time to thank my donor so I sent an anonymous letter through Anthony Nolan. Within a few weeks I received a reply. We were both overjoyed at receiving such an important piece of mail and he was very pleased that I was making a good recovery."

From that moment she set her sights on thanking her donor in person.

"I knew that it would be a few years before I could travel but I made it my goal. I had to thank the man who had saved my life," Carol said.

As time passed by, the medication reduced and their correspondence increased. There was a turning point in her life when she was told that she had the option to release her personal information, and to request her donors details.

Carol continued: "I decided not to rush into it, as I needed time to comprehend exactly what that would mean. I had come so far, and to be able to correspond with my donor directly would be quite surreal."

Through letter writing, they contemplated at how their paths had crossed and shared stories about their families. In May 2018 she exchanged personal details with her donor.

She said: "It was a truly amazing day learning the name of the man I had written to for four years - Darin."

Through emails they exchanged family photos and started to make plans for her trip. Their friendship blossomed and finally, in September 2019 they met for the first time.

"The welcome that I received at the airport was something that only dreams are made of. After hugs and tears of joy with Darin and his wife Valerie, I was introduced to a local news channel who were delighted to witness and report on such an emotional and inspiring story," added Carol.

Carol and Paul stayed at Darin and Valeries home in Detroit for eight days. During that time they shared their experiences as a donor and recipient, reminiscing about a very surreal time in their lives.

Carol added: "Darin said that if he was asked to donate again he would do it in a heartbeat.

"I consider myself truly blessed to have found a donor who was a perfect match, but to have the opportunity to thank the man who gave me his bone marrow has meant the world to me.

"Please dont wait until it happens to you or yours, people are dying waiting for their perfect match and you can help them by joining the register. Without Darin I probably wouldnt be here today, so if youre a healthy 16-30 year old (or you know someone who is), Anthony Nolan needs you.

"My heartfelt thanks go to Anthony Nolan and to all of the potential donors on the register, as well as the wonderful team of doctors and nurses who treated me."

Anthony Nolan is the charity that finds matching donors for people with blood cancer and gives them a second chance of life.

It also carries out ground-breaking research to save more lives and provide information and support to patients after a stem cell transplant, through its clinical nurse specialists and psychologists, who help guide patients through their recovery.

Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan said "Its fantastic to see Carol,living her life to the fullest andDarinshould be incredibly proud of the difference he has made to Carol and her family.

"Our amazing stem cell donors are lifesavers and they continue to give patients with blood cancer a second chance of life. Anyone wanting to find out more can visit our website to join the stem cell register or support our work by making a donation, which will help give someone likeCarola second chance of life in the future. Without you there is no cure."

For more information, visit the Anthony Nolan website here.

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Redruth woman travels over 3,500 miles to meet the stranger who saved her life - Cornwall Live