Leukaemia victim Nicola Coates has been given a date for her bone marrow transplant at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

She will be the first patient to use a newly-refurbished transplant unit at the hospital following completion of the work, said her father, Gary.

Nicola, 25, of Wheldrake, discovered last autumn that two potential marrow donors had been found for her in America.

The news followed the Evening Press's Race For A Donor campaign, which helped persuade 200 people to undergo blood tests to go on the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust's register.

Now the operation has been firmly pencilled in for the beginning of March, provided there are no last-minute setbacks.

Nicola has had a lengthy discussion with specialists and nurses at "Jimmy's" about the procedures she will go through before, during and after the operation, and about the inherent risks and dangers involved.

"To be frank, it's a little daunting, to say the least," said Mr Coates, who said the transplant would be preceded by an intensive bout of chemotherapy and possibly radiotherapy.

Afterwards, Nicola would be kept in isolation at the hospital to protect her from infection, with a bedside phone and TV provided.

She would return home after about six weeks, but with regular out-patient check-ups over the following six months.

Nicola's plight touched the hearts of hundreds of Evening Press readers who took part in bone marrow clinics in an attempt to find her a donor and who generously gave cash to the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.

Her brave struggle against the illness galvanised villagers at Wheldrake, who organised a number of events, including pony treks, sponsored headshaves and cooking demonstrations to raise the much needed funds required by the trust.

Two charity auctions held by Wenlock Arms landlord Alan Terry raised more than £5,000 alone.

The total handed to the charity by villagers was more than £14,000 which is enough to test nearly 300 potential bone marrow donors and give hope to others in Nicola's position.

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