Fiona Geekie, a nurse from Croydon who is a practitioner for The Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, donated bone marrow to a person she had never met earlier this year.

According to Fiona (49), about 2,000 people in the UK require a bone marrow or stem cell transplant every year.

“For most of them it’s their last chance of surviving blood cancer,” she added.

The nurse, who is a member of the Merton enhanced rapid intervention team, described why she went on the register to donate through the Anthony Nolan Trust 15 years ago.

“Three quarters can’t find a matching donor in their family so rely upon the generosity of a complete stranger already on the bone marrow register. So I joined up, it was simple.”

Last Christmas Fiona was called for blood tests as she was a possible match for someone.

“I was surprised to be called in the first place and I must confess I was a little apprehensive,” Fiona admitted.

However, she continued: “But then I thought what if someone in my family needed a bone marrow transplant. It’s the most fantastic gift you can give to total stranger.”

After donating, Fiona said she “felt quite emotional and wanted the recipient to get well again”.

She concluded: “Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I have no hesitation in recommending all young people aged 16-30 to consider joining the bone marrow donor register.”