Words of encouragement from the mother of leukaemia patient India Farmer have given renewed hope to the family of a fellow sufferer.

Joanna Farmer recently gave her support to the campaign to find a donor for 24-year-old Nicola Coates, from Wheldrake, and has since lent a sympathetic ear to Nicola's father.

The Evening Press put Gary in touch with Joanna and they had a long chat on the phone.

"It is so comforting to hear from someone who has been through what we're going through now," he said, speaking from the ward at the Southampton hospital where Nicola is currently undergoing treatment.

"She has an amazing story to tell and was very supportive indeed.

"We are going to stay in contact through this and I am grateful to the Evening Press for putting us in touch."

Campaigns such as the one for India, which attracted the attention of the Duchess of York, have increased awareness of the disease and the number of donors on the register.

Nicola is in hospital undergoing intensive chemotherapy and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant.

Searches of bone marrow registers all over the UK and abroad have failed to find a match, so the Evening Press together with the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust are urging people to take a blood test in the hope of making the vital match.

If you are willing to take a blood test to see if yours is a match for Nicola's than please fill in the coupon above.

We will soon announce a date for an information evening for people interested in helping our appeal.

See Race for a Donor Section

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