The British woman whose blood stem cells saved young Leon Azzopardi in 2008, is urging others to do the same.

Susan Ratcliffe and her husband Tony welcomed Leon and his family to her home yesterday.

Her donation in 2009 had been used to treat a rare blood disorder Leon suffered from.

Following her donation, she communicated with Leon's family anonymously for two years and met the family for the first time in Malta last September.

Her donation was made through the Anthony Nolan charity which matches registered volunteers willing to donate their blood stem cells to patients with blood cancer in need of a transplant.

Her appeal, made on Sky News, is for anyone who wanted to do something good this New Year to join the trust.

"Make a difference to somebody else this New Year's Eve. He is living proof that it works."

Although there are currently over 430,000 people on the Anthony Nolan register, the charity can only find a match for half the people who approached it in need of a lifesaving transplant.

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