A NORTON man is urging people to sign up to a stem cell register after losing his father to acute myeloid leukaemia.

Michael Hill, 35, is aiming to raise awareness of blood cancer and the charity DKMS following the death of his dad David in May.

David, who was 55, was diagnosed with leukaemia in October 2017 after suffering flu-like symptoms and finding a lump under his arm.

“He went to the doctor and was told he needed to get to hospital ASAP and after blood tests they confirmed it was cancer,” Michael said.

“Dad was transferred to York Hospital where he started chemo which was pretty intensive and at times he didn’t know we were there.”

David was allowed home on Boxing Day and was told he was in remission.

“Dad started to pick up and I was able to take hin out running again, which we had always enjoyed together,” Michael said.

“We used to have bets on how fast we could do a race and it was great to see him picking up his pace again.”

David managed to complete the Edinburgh 5k in May last year and entered the Jane Tomlinson 10k in York.

“It was the weekend after he and mum had renewed their wedding vows after 33 years of marriage,” Michael said.

“Dad got to 6k and collapsed. The day after he felt really unwell so we took him to the hospital and doctors confirmed the cancer had come back.”

David underwent another round of intensive chemotherapy last November which he at first responded to, however in February this year the family were told the leukaemia had come back so aggressively.

Despite finding a blood stem cell donor, David died in May.

“Dad lived life to the full,” Michael said.

“Christmas was his favourite time of the year - he loved it.

“He planned his own funeral with a Christmas theme, including having the music to Home Alone and everyone at the funeral wore festive jumpers.”

Michael said his dad, who worked as a refuse collector for Ryedale District Council, had been a real fighter throughout his illness.

“He had a motto that ‘giving up is never an option’ and it’s true. He knew that the end was near but still he never gave up.”

Michael said his family had been grateful to the blood cell donor, who came from Germany.

“That person gave us hope and extra time with dad and you can’t put a price on that,” he said.

“I would encourage everyone who can to sign up to become a donor - you may never get called up but on the other hand you could potentially save someone’s life.”

“My dad’s long battle with leukaemia and his passing has been difficult, but if I can help save someone’s life by raising awareness and recruiting new donors, it will have been worth it.

“I know that won’t bring my dad back, but he has always had a passion for helping others and I want to continue that for him.”

For more information about stem cell donation, go to dkms.org.uk/en/register-now