A BOY who is still desperately searching for a life-saving bone marrow transplant after six months has now received his fifth blood transfusion.

Marley Nicholls, from Bettws, Newport, suffers from a rare blood condition called aplastic anaemia which stops the body from producing enough blood cells.

Without a bone marrow transplant, the six-year-old will not survive.

Despite tens of thousands signing up to the bone marrow register as well as endorsements from celebrities, such as Joan Collins and Keith Lemon, no match has so far been found.

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Marley has also been left with no choice but to undergo blood transfusions, due to the condition. And last week marked the fifth transfusion he has received.

Mum Shaney Truman said: "He is doing OK at the moment. It is now six months since we started looking for a bone marrow donor.

"His bone marrow is not working at safe level any more - which is why he is having the transfusions.

"It makes me emotional every time he receives blood or platelets because some stranger has given up their time to go and donate. It is something really special."

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Ms Truman also revealed her intention to encourage more people to both donate blood and sign up to the bone marrow register.

"We still have no donor which is needed now more than ever," she said.

"I'm hoping to start doing more swab drives again and get more people onto the register.

"I really want to encourage more people to go and give blood as this is what is keeping Marley alive at the moment. People can also join the bone marrow register through this as well.

"Only a small three per cent of the population donate. I really do not want our campaign to lose momentum so I really need people to keep talking and spread the word about joining the register."

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If you would like to sign up to the bone marrow register, visit here and here