WATCH: Leukaemia patient celebrates 21st birthday with news of new donor
A Merebank resident who is in early relapse of cancer, has told Newswatch on her 21st birthday that she is anxious about a life-changing drug she will be receiving next week.
Tashnika Rambali was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2013, and says the disease has seen her go through years of Chemotherapy and cranial and spinal radiation.
She went into remission in January last year, but found out about the relapse in January 2016.
Rambali says she felt her prayers had been answered after finding out this year that an international stem cell donor was found that matched her.
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"I was ecstatic to find that I had a unrelated donor, because the chances of finding is one in 100 000. And for me to find a 100% donor match, was an absolute miracle, since was my sibling was not a match,"
Rambali says that if successful, the life-saving drug - which will kill the cancer cells - is likely to ensure that she will be in 100 percent remission. This will allow for her to receive the transplant, which can only be effective once she is in complete remission.
"I'm anxious about getting this new drug It's fairly new, and I have no idea at the side effects. But at the same time I'm grateful, because I can start to live my life again," she said.
WATCH: TASHNIKA DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD DONATION OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON: