Carey Boucher (25), a former learner of the Kenridge Primary School and Fairmont High School who now lives in Kenilworth was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2007.

“Tragically there is no match for her in the South African bone marrow registry,” her mother,Mrs Lisa Finney, said.

“A search for a local donor in South Africa was unsuccessful and we had to turn to the SABMR Institute to search for possible international donors.” said Finney who now lives in England.

“We have found two potential donors from Germany and at present samples are being tested in Cape Town,” she said.

“After several months of hospitalisation and all of the challenges, this will be a great move forward.

“Naturally the cost of the search and the eventual procurement of the bone marrow is expensive and this is why we are appealing to others to help make a difference,” she said.

The high-dosage chemotherapy is now complete and they are in preparation for a bone marrow stem cell transplant at the Constantiaberg Bone Marrow Unit as soon as a bone marrow donor has been found.

“She has endured rounds of chemotherapy and has just completed her second cycle of aggressive treatment after spending 114 days in hospital.

“It’s been a long road to this point, including various serious infections, seizures and other medical issues and side effects,” Finney said.

“The road has been uphill for most of the way, but we are positive that this is the final hurdle Carey has to face.

“Through it all, she has remained optimistic, holding firm in her faith and belief that there’s some purpose for her to beat this leukaemia and start fresh once the treatment is done.

“The most exciting thing for us as a family, is the heartwarming response we’ve received from friends and people who have heard about Carey’s plight.

“People have come forward with offers of having their blood tested for the purpose of becoming a donor for Carey.

“As this has the smallest chance for her, we have passed on information about the Sunflower Fund and the SABMR Society so that others could benefit,” she said.

. A dinner with an auction will be held on Saturday 17 May from 18:00 to 23:00 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Ottery. All proceeds will be towards the Carey’s Bone Marrow fund.

. Tickets at R65 per person are available from Mrs Louna Erasmus at 083 731 0044.

. In another fundraising project people can SMS the word HOPE to 38665 at R10 and proceeds will go to Carey’s fund.

More at the website www.carey-boucher.com.