AN URGENT appeal is being made to family members of a young leukaemia sufferer who may be able to provide a life-saving bone marrow match.

The search for a donor for 28-year-old Kimberley Allistone, née Prouse, has been extended to the Chagford/Okehampton area, from where the family originates, after none of her five siblings could provide a suitable match.

Kim, who lives in Taunton, was diagnosed in August with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, a cancer of the bone marrow. If a donor is found within the next few months her chances of survival will increase dramatically.

An appeal is going out to close or distant relatives of the Prouse, Daymond, Stevens, Bourne and Stanlake or Standlake families who may just have the match that could save her life. A simple blood test is all that is required at this stage.

At the moment, Kim has blood checks every two weeks and is receiving a mild dose of chemotherapy. She is optimistic that someone in the Okehampton area could hold the key to her recovery.

Her mother, Pauline Daymond, and father, Edwin Prouse, were born in the Chagford/Okehampton area and there is a long tradition on both sides of the family which links Kim to this part of the country.

'There could be many people related in some way to me from this area and I feel sure there is someone there with my particular tissue type,' said Kim.

She has taken a break from her work managing a residential home with her husband in Taunton to come to terms with her illness and find out as much as she can about it.

'Being young and healthy it was a big shock for me to find I had leukaemia but I am starting to get used to it now,' she said. 'I try not to let things get to me — I am very strong-minded.

'It was a setback when I found out my brothers and sisters were not a suitable match but I am hopeful that I will get one soon.'

Kim had been cooking a meal after returning from a walking holiday when she fainted. The next day she was in the cancer clinic.

One of the things her illness has taught her is that anyone can contract it at any time.

'There are thousand of people like me whose lives can be saved if more people came forward to be tested for a potential bone marrow match,' she said.

Kim is appealing to Okehampton Times readers in general to register with the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Within two weeks of a call to 0207 284 1234 you could be on the National Register.

Alternatively, to help Kim or other leukaemia sufferers you can attend the Okehampton blood donor sessions on December 7 and 8 at the Charter Hall between 1.30pm and 3.15pm and 5pm and 7.15pm — this, however, could be a more lengthy process.

Kim's husband, Patrick Allistone, said his wife had spent ten years in the nursing procession looking after elderly people, many with problems, and now the tables had been turned.

'Kim is very strong and has great courage — I could not cope with this illness in the way she has,' he said

'By contacting us or the Anthony Nolan Trust you may or may not be able to help Kimberley but you would certainly help somebody.'

Kim's father, Edwin Prouse, can be contacted on 0777 6406166.