The mother of a little girl who received revolutionary treatment after falling ill with lymphoblastic leukaemia has thanked the Croydon public for all their support.

Imogen Appiah and her mother Shelia won the hearts of the borough’s residents after a sustained campaign to find the six-year-old a bone marrow transplant.

A devoted mother, Mrs Appiah spent three years at her daughters bedside as she went through countless blood transfusions and dashed hopes.

Mrs Appiah credits both her daughters success and the family’s ability to fight through with the mother of Daniel De Gale who created leukaemia charity, Afro Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) Mrs Appiah said: “I just wanted to say thank you again to every one who has shown us caring and support through Imogen’s time in hospital.

“We have been stopped by people in the street, both young and old, who said how much they thought of Imogen during her time in hospital. It brought a tear to my eye every time.

“I can’t thank them and the Croydon Guardian enough for highlighting my daughters condition and calling for people to donate blood and bone marrow.”

Throughout the three-years Imogen spent suffering from the illness Mrs Appiah was supported by Beverley De Gale, Daniel De Gale’s mother.

The two became very close and whenever things got bad for Mrs Appiah, Beverley was there as a shoulder to cry on or to offer support.

Mrs De Gale added: “Without the support of Beverley and the ACTL I would have been a wreck. She really supported me throughout Imogen’s illness and now I am calling on the people of Croydon to keep showing their support and head into the town centre to give blood.”

The ACTL has joined forces with the National Blood Service for the Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Week. A stall will be in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon on Thursday October 8 between 1pm and 7pm.

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