THE OBSERVER is backing an urgent campaign to find a bone marrow donor to help save the life of a 'kind and selfless’ father of two.

IT manager Raj Bhuller, 51, was rushed into hospital on the morning of Christmas Eve with stomach problems. By the end of the day he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia, called acute myeloid leukemia, and was started on chemotherapy straight away.

He has remained on round the clock care in Wexham Park Hospital ever since. Doctors have said he has a 20% chance of living - unless they can find a matching bone marrow donor.

However tests on his family have so far proved unsuccessful. Now his loved ones have launched a campaign to find a donor and help raise awareness about bloom stem cell donations to save others.

Wife Rani said: “We need to get as many people as possible on the register.

“A lot of people are scared, but it’s just a simple swab. The possibility you could save someone’s life is an amazing thing.” Rani, who has been married to Raj for 27 years and lives in Langley, added: “Our family are trying to raise awareness in the community. We want to find a match for Raj and others as well.” Only 4% of people registered to be on standby to donate blood stem cells are Asian. Registration only requires a swab test and any matches only have to give blood to possibly save someone’s life.

Deirdra Taylor, director of communications and donor relations at Delete Blood Cancer UK, said: “Those in need of blood stem cell donation are most likely to find a matching donor from a similar ethnic background. That is why it is crucial there is a diverse range of people registered to be on standby to donate some of their blood stem cells to someone who needs them for their survival.” A Facebook group appealing for donors has got 2,786 likes and a Twitter account has also been set up. Registration opportunities have been organised at gurdwaras across the region. They will run from 11am-3pm at both of Slough’s gurdwaras on Sunday, February 22.

Acute myeloid leukaemia is a rare type of concern that affects only 2,500 people every year in the UK.

Visit www.deletebloodcancer.org.uk to register.

For more information about Raj’s campaign visit www.facebook.com/rajsinghbhuller or follow @donateforraj on Twitter