Eternally grateful patient thanks trust for treatment

Pictured above is Wendy (patient) with her donor Kevin in Chicago.

To celebrate the NHS 75 birthday, this week we are share positive stories to celebrate the hard work and commitment of NHS staff and how this helps treat our communities. We are sharing Wendy's story and how the treatment she received helped her to go on to live a happy life with her loved ones.

In 2017, Wendy’s family raised concerns as she presented signs of weakness and fatigue. Wendy soon went to Pinderfields Hospital for treatment where colleagues from the emergency department admitted Wendy with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Over the next seven weeks, Wendy remained in hospital to receive the treatment she needed to recover. Over this period, medical staff noticed Wendy’s condition was rapidly declining and the decision to put Wendy forward for a stem cell transplant was decided.

Wendy received this transplant at St James Hospital in Leeds. The transplant was deemed a success, enabling her body to replace the damaged blood cells with healthy ones, and over the next seven months she made a full recovery.

Following her transplant, Wendy requested to meet her anonymous donor, Kevin. The pair developed a friendship over the years, and a couple of weeks ago Wendy and Kevin met in Chicago, where Kevin now resides.

Last year, Wendy also celebrated 40 years of marriage and renewed her vows in front of family and friends, a milestone she credits to the five-star treatment she received by the NHS.

Expressing her gratitude, Wendy compliments the Trust, saying:

“I received the best treatment from everyone involved and I subsequently went into remission. All of this would not have been possible without every dedicated member of your team. I will always be eternally grateful to you all.”