My story

Rafiya, 30, from Preston, should be planning holidays, making memories with her husband, and spending time with her friends.

Instead, she's waiting to find out if a complete stranger could save her life. Rafiya has been diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Her doctors have told her that a stem cell transplant is now her best hope for a second chance at life.

Only 1 in 3 patients will find a matching stem cell donor within their own family. Everyone else relies on finding a match through the stem cell register.

For Rafiya, who is of Indian heritage, finding a match is even more difficult because matching is closely linked to ethnicity. Yet only 16% of the UK stem cell register is made up of people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

"It's a scary prospect," says Rafiya. "I'm a very social person. I love my work, and being out and interacting with other people is an important part of who I am. The idea that I'm too ill to work or be around my friends and family has been hard to deal with."

Despite everything she's facing, Rafiya has found hope through the kindness of others.