A Bermudian seeking a cure for a rare and potentially deadly form of leukaemia is appealing to the public for help.

Diane Dismont was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) three years ago.

The disease is a type of cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood. She first learned of her condition during a routine physical examination. When her results returned from the lab, it was discovered that her white blood cell counts were more than seven times normal levels.

Leukaemia, like many cancers, is treated with chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient often stops responding to medication after a period of time, which has happened in Ms Dismont?s case.

The only known cure for the disease is a stem-cell transplant. However, a donor with an exact tissue-typing match must first be found.

A donor drive established in conjunction with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Bermuda?s King Edward VII Memorial Hospital hopes to locate an exact match.

The preliminary testing will take place on the morning of Saturday, February 7. If there is a good response, then an additional testing date will be established.

About 25 people, who learned about Diane?s condition through a circulated e-mail, were tested in a previous drive.

?I was really surprised at the number of people who were friends of friends, and didn?t know me personally, who turned out to be tested,? said Ms Dismont.

?Cancer is a lonely road, so it really meant a lot to me that strangers were willing to help,? she added.

The initial test requires a simple blood test to determine if the person is a match. Potential donors should be under the age of 60 and in good health. In the event that a match is found, the donor will be given medication for five days to boost stem cell levels. The extra stem cells are then harvested from the donor, which would later be transplanted into Diane?s system.

Potential side effects for the donor are mild ? a few days of achy joints.

The physicians at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where Diane is being treated, have taken an interest in her case since they believe Bermuda?s unique genetic pool may potentially offer a better likelihood of a match.

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