A father of two is “completely over the moon” after receiving the news that a stem cell match has been found for him.

Jaso Manokaran, a 29-year-old from Harrow, described potential donors as being like ‘gold dust’ after a shock cancer diagnosis left him relying on a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.

After being rushed to hospital due to constant pain and fever-like symptoms, Jaso – who is a Sri Lankan Tamil - was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December.

With relatively few donors from ethnic minorities on the Anthony Nolan register, he faced an uphill battle to find a suitable match.

His wife Jasmini, who signed up to the register herself, started the Help Save Jaso campaign to recruit more Sri Lankan donors.

Following weeks of campaigning to get more Sri Lankan Tamils to sign up, Mr Manokaran has found a stem cell match.

Jasmini said: “When the consultant told us they had a match for Jaso it was just amazing news. We were so happy, completely over the moon. The consultant told us how rare it is to find a match for a Sri Lankan so Jaso feels like the luckiest man that’s ever lived.

"Words cannot describe how thankful we are to the donor who is giving Jaso a second chance at life. I just want to thank them for their lifesaving help." 

Mr Manokaran's family say they are now more determined than ever to campaign for more Sri Lankans to sign up to the register and help future families in need.

Mrs Manokaran added: “Now a donor has been found he is very happy; he is doing so much better since the news physically and mentally.

“I want to say thank you so much to everyone who has signed up so far. I am calling on my fellow Sri Lankans to keep signing up to the register and keep helping people like Jaso as there is still a shortage of potential donors.”

Currently, only 60 per cent of transplant recipients receive the best possible match - which drops to 20.5 per cent if you are from an ethnic minority background.

Lynsey Dickson, from Anthony Nolan, added: "It’s brilliant news that a match has been found for Jaso. The ‘Help Save Jaso’ campaign has inspired so many Sri Lankans and South Asians to sign up to the register.

“Despite going through so much themselves, the family have worked tirelessly to raise awareness, helping to bust the myths surrounding bone marrow donation.”

If you are aged 16-30 and in good health you can join the Anthony Nolan register online at www.anthonynolan.org