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Jasmine's family thank donor volunteers
THE family of baby Jasmine Andrew have today thanked the hundreds of people who turned out to help save her life.
Crowds of people queued at the Portsmouth Guildhall yesterday to join the bone marrow donor register and see if they are a potential match for the four-month-old.
Jasmine's dad Emmanuel Andrew said he was overwhelmed by the turn out.
'I cannot believe how many people have come along, it's amazing,' he said. 'We are so grateful, we can't thank everyone enough.
'Jasmine desperately needs this transplant and we're hopeful one can be found from this session. It would completely change her life.'
Jasmine was born with a rare and potentially life threatening immune system deficiency. The only way she can lead a normal life is by having a bone marrow transplant.
Nearly 300 people of different ages and different backgrounds turned out to yesterday's sign-up session, arranged by The News and the Anthony Nolan charity, to try to help.
Many spoke of how they had been touched by Jasmine's story.
Some said if their children were in the same position, they would hope people would help too.
Parents Marilyn and Daniel Hobbs, who tragically lost their seven-month-old daughter last year, attended the event in the hope of helping make sure Jasmine's parents do not go through the same as they did.
Mr Hobbs, 29, from Portsmouth, said: 'We came because we lost our girl last year.
'She had three lots of blood transfusions after contracting meningitis and septicemia B.
'There was someone who had donated blood to help her.
'We just want to see if we can help Jasmine now.'
Jasmine's family also turned out and enjoyed helping run the day, and speaking to crowds of potential donor matches. Jasmine's aunt Sam Curtis, 25, of Portsmouth, said: 'It has been an amazing day, it's been fantastic.
'I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. This means the world to our family. We are so grateful.'
Jasmine's grandad Mark Curtis, 45, of Portchester, said: 'I'm stunned by the magnitude of the appeal for Jasmine. The response has been overwhelming.
'Anyone who has now joined the register could end up being a match for Jasmine or someone else, which would be fantastic.'
Jasmine's nan Sarah Curtis, 42, from Southsea, said: 'We are just so pleased so many people have taken the time out to come along and try and help Jasmine. It's amazing.'
Anthony Nolan volunteers from the day said they too were overwhelmed by the turnout.
Karen Archer, regional recruitment manager for the charity, said: 'It has been extremely successful.
'I was hoping with the publicity that we'd get a good response but this has just been better than we expected.
'We've had such a varied crowd too from students to the army, it's been amazing.'
HOW YOU CAN HELP
IF you could not make yesterday's sign-up session don't worry, you can still help.
If you're in the navy, sign-up sessions will be taking place at Portsmouth naval base today, for naval personnel only.
And The News and Anthony Nolan are looking to arrange another sign-up session for the public, this time in the evening, as soon as possible.
In the meantime you can sign up by calling Anthony Nolan on 0303 3030303 or visiting anthonynolan.org.
To be a bone marrow donor you need to be aged between 18 and 40. Once on the register, your details will be kept until you reach 60.
You also need to be in good health and be committed to undergo the donation procedure if required.
There are two ways to donate now, via bone marrow harvest and peripheral blood stem cell collection. Visit the Anthony Nolan site for more information.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
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