Brave Gemma keeps up the battle (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Brave Gemma keeps up the battle

Gemma Lambeth is fighting leukaemia again and also for the chance to have children. The 18-year-old from Toothill was told the disease had returned just before Christmas eight months after finishing treatment and being in remission.

She now needs to have a bone marrow transplant. But treatment before the life-saving operation will make Gemma infertile.

So she plans to have her eggs harvested and stored, ready to start a family in future years.

Gemma's family and friends have resorted to fundraising to pay for this procedure, which will cost at least £4,000.

Gemma is currently in Swindon's Great Western Hospital with an infection because her defences have been weakened by chemotherapy

She said: "I am so grateful for all the support from family, friends and complete strangers. They give me strength to carry on."

Doctors discovered the relapse at a routine check up in December.

Gemma had chemotherapy in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and was told she needed a bone marrow transplant.

Gemma's sister, Sophie, eight, and brother Steven, 16, wanted to donate bone marrow but were not suitable matches.

Their mother, Jackie, 40, said: "They were very upset they couldn't help more. Each sibling only has a one in four chance of being a suitable donor."

Doctors have now found a bone marrow match and the transplant has been provisionally booked for March 26. Before the operation, Gemma will undergo high dose chemotherapy and radiation treatment, making her infertile.

This month her eggs will be harvested, so she can have children.

Mrs Lambeth said: "She really wants the opportunity to have children later on, so is determined to do this.

"Her spirits are high, despite the ordeal of all this treatment."

A family friend, Nikki Taylor, 36, from Westlea, has organised a 1970s-style disco, auction and raffle next month to help foot the £4,000 bill.

She said: "Gemma never gives up. This is another mountain to climb, but her spirits are high."

Gemma was first diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia in January 2001. Following an intense course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, doctors found the cancer was gone three months later but her treatment continued until last March.

The Advertiser reported how the former Swindon College student celebrated being in remission with fellow student and leukaemia sufferer, Jane Quirke, 19, last February.

Jane is still in remission and due to finish her course of treatment in June.

She said: "We have stayed in touch and I was so upset when she called to say the leukaemia was back. But Gemma will keep fighting it and I'll be backing her all the way."

The 1970s disco, featuring live band, The Glambusters, takes place at Grange Drive Community Centre on March 20. The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £5. For bookings call: 01793 871076 or 01793 721905.