Theatre star back on stage after life-saving transplant from Germany | UK | News
A musical theater star, which is waiting for a shock of blood cancer shock, returns to the stage after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor in Germany. 24 -year -old Sacha Gomes participated in auditions for a large West End show, as he began to feel tired and cold in March 2024.
After visiting the hospital, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive cancer of white blood cells. University College London hospitals were looking for a stem cell donor while Sacha had intensive treatment cycles. He was finally found in Germany and received a transplant last October.
Sacha said: “Cancer was something that I could never expect to be so young. It was the hardest thing I had to face, but I was lucky enough to take off the other side and I am determined to mean something.
“Everyone likes to say that everything is for a reason, but I don’t want to live while waiting to present my life.”
During a stem cell transplant, the patient’s incorrect blood stem cells are replaced by healthy ones from a donor. This initiates the patient’s immune system to make new blood cells.
Sacha from Chiswick in London was declared without cancer on January 25th 100 days after the procedure.
The search for donor was particularly difficult due to mixed ethnic origin – on one side his grandfather Jamaica and his grandmother were white English, the other grandmother and grandfather Spanish.
This meant that doctors could not find a donor in the UK, which is a shortage of donors of Afro Caribbean origin.
Patients from black and mixed race history have the chance to find the best possible stem cell matching compared to 72% for white Northern European patients.
Singer and actor Sacha has now prepared a concert by friends and colleagues to collect funds for African Caribbean leukemia Trust (ACLT).
Players previously included the stars in West End Hits Hamilton, Cabaret, Six and Mamma Mia! And he will make his favorite songs.
He said: orum I want to do something positive from a terrible situation and use my experience and story to raise awareness about the lack of donors of the black community in the UK.
Biri When you say I need a transportation, one of my first thoughts, will I find a donor?
“It was surprising that how many of my friends and colleagues from the musical theater were volunteer to play a role from the show, from singers and musicians to technical staff. It will be a bright night for a bright purpose.”
ACLT Founder Beverley de Gale, ACLT, said, “Sacha’s story sheds a strong light on a destructive reality, there are still very little blood, stem cells and black heritage organ donors.
“This deficiency cost is survived every year. AclT’s mission is to close these gaps by inspiring more Africa and the Caribbean descent to participate in donor records, give blood and ultimately save lives.
“By raising awareness through initiatives like this activity, we can not only celebrate our community with incredible music, but also to inspire to register as a donor to more people. Every donor has the power to give the gift of life – and this is the greatest legacy of everyone.”
Sacha’s Show, one night for ACLT, will be at Lyric Hammersmith Theater on Sunday, November 2 at 19:00. Tickets, 35 £ plus reservation fees are available Here.
