A leukaemia patient has been reunited with his long-lost sister after making a heartfelt appeal to track her down in the Express & Star.
Michael Coley’s moving story on Monday revealed he was desperately looking for younger sister Lisa, who could be the match for the bone marrow transplant he so desperately needs. And luckily for him, 39-year-old Lisa was reading the newspaper when she came across the news of her sibling’s search. Despite living just a few miles apart, Lisa had not seen her brother for 15 years.
But yesterday the pair were reunited, and now Lisa has agreed to be tested to find out if she is the one that could save his life.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him,” said Lisa, from Sedgley. “I feel really scared but I just knew it was something I had to do.
“He always used to look after me when I was little, if I got into trouble he’d be there to sort me out. I love him and I’m with him all the way now. I’m going to do everything I can to help him get better.”
Michael, who has been in Sandwell Hospital since he was diagnosed last Wednesday, said they gradually lost touch and “went their separate ways” when they both moved from the family home in Blackheath.
Lisa now has seven children and lives in Westfield Road. Their other brother John lives in Blackpool and is also going to be tested to see if he is a match.
Michael, who lives in Stone Cross, West Bromwich, had been told by doctors that he had to get in touch with his siblings to get the best possible chance for a cure.
He said: “I had gone outside the hospital when the doctor came down and told me Lisa had been on the phone. Then she just pulled up, she was in the car in front of me, I couldn’t believe it, I still feel overwhelmed.
“It was a shocked when they diagnosed me, but at the same time for some reason I expected it. I’ve got a lot of fighting to do but I’m going to beat it. I’m just glad to have my sister back.”
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