A SWABBING event, due to be held this week to give the community the chance to register as a stem cell donor and save a life, has been postponed.

An Aberystwyth family are currently searching for a stem cell donor for eight-year-old Rufus Palmer, after he relapsed with leukaemia in November last year.

On Friday, 4 February, a swabbing event was due to be held at Ridiculously Rich by Alana, on Aberystwyth seafront, to allow members of the community to have a “quick swab to the cheek” and register as a donor.

However, this event has now been postponed after volunteers taking part in the event tested positive for Covid-19.

While doctors may have found a transplant match for Rufus, Rosie Palmer, Rufus’ mum, said there are still many others around the world looking for a life-saving match.

Rosie is encouraging anybody eligible to register at the future event, which will take place at a later date.

“Please do come to the event and sign up to be a donor, it’s so simple,” Rosie said.

“It’s easier than a Covid-19 swab, it’s just a quick swab to the cheek, it takes a few minutes and then it’s done.

“That few minutes could end up saving somebody’s life.

“If you have questions about the process of donating, because I think people might be put off with what is involved, there’s plenty of information and please feel free to ask.

“Please consider doing it, because if you can’t be the one for Rufus, there are so many people waiting - children and adults that you could be helping now and in the future.”

Speaking to the Cambrian News last week, owner of Ridiculously Rich Alana Spencer said: “Something I have always loved about Aberystwyth is the sense of community we have.

“Whenever somebody needs help, people come together to support each other. Helping Rosie and her lovely family is definitely a reason to do so.

“Rufus is a wonderful boy who needs our help, so we will be asking people to come along to the cafe for a cup of tea and to have a simple test to see if they are a donor match for the treatment Rufus desperately needs.”

Last week, Rosie said they had reached a “huge milestone” after Rufus went into remission, thanks to a course of successful immunotherapy.

“We’ve had a really good email from Rufus’ consultant based on the result from the recent bone marrow test. It shows he is in remission.

“We are completely over the moon about that. It doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for the treatment but it means he’s in the best position for the transplant.”

After doctors found a potential nine out of ten match for Rufus, the family are hoping a trip to Bristol this week will clarify whether or not the transplant will be possible.

“Rufus is doing really well, it’s his birthday today (31 January) and he’s having a good day. We’re off to Bristol tomorrow for a couple of days for tests and more talks.

“He’s going to have various tests done in preparation for the transplant. It sounds quite promising that they might have found a donor match. But obviously we’re just waiting to see for definite.”

If you would like to register as a stem cell donor, you can also do so through the nonprofit bone marrow donor centre DKMS -https://www.dkms.org.uk/get-involved/virtual-drives/rufus.