A needle-phobic student saved a cancer patient’s life after overcoming her fear to donate stem cells.
Maaria Aziz, 21, signed up to the stem cell register when she was 17 and a pupil at Dalziel High School in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.
She was recruited to the register through a school engagement event organised by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as part of a partnership with the Anthony Nolan charity, which organises the register.
Four years after signing up to the register, Maaria was surprised to be contacted to say she was a match for someone waiting for a transplant.
Maaria said: “It was a surprise because I had forgotten all about it.
“I really didn’t know what to expect.
“I actually have a fear of needles, and to be honest I wasn’t sure about going ahead with it.”
When Maaria was contacted, the Anthony Nolan Charity explained the process to her.
Maaria said: “They hadn’t heard of it before and they were a bit worried.
“When the nurses visited me, they explained everything to my mum and dad, all about how it could help someone and how important it was and they were reassured.
“I don’t think they really comprehended how much it would help someone.”
In September Maaria travelled to London to donate her stem cells and returned to Glasgow Caledonian University, where she is in her third year of studying orthoptics.
She said: “The timing was good because I wasn’t at uni and I was able to take the time to go.
“I felt fine afterwards, I just had a bit of a sore arm.
“It feels really good to be able to do that for someone.
“I’m really glad I did it.”
Charlotte Cunliffe, Head of Register Development at Anthony Nolan said: “SFRS has done remarkable work in finding potential donors for people who need a lifesaving stem transplant.
“It is fantastic to hear about amazing people like Maaria who was signed up through SFRS and overcame her fears to give someone a second chance at life.
“It’s vital that as many people as possible sign up to the Anthony Nolan register – especially those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
“Donors like Maaria increase the chances of patients from minority ethnic backgrounds finding their perfect matches.
“We look forward to continuing this crucial partnership as we work together to further diversify our register and find more lifesaving donors.”
