Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Race to find donor to save five year old girl

THE family of a young girl diagnosed with leukaemia are calling out for Asian donors to help save her life.

Kaiya Patel, 5, has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rare type of blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells, and “desperately” needs a stem cell donor.


Unable to find a match within her family, a campaign is urging people to register as donors to help her.

However, due to her Asian ethnicity she has just a 20.5 per cent chance of finding a suitable stem cell donor.

This is compared to 69 per cent for people with white or European heritage, according to UK cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

Kaiya’s father Ruchit Patel, 37, said finding out his daughter’s diagnosis was “like a punch to the stomach”.

Kaiya’s symptoms included bruising on her legs, which the family assumed was harmless.

“It's heart-breaking,” Ruchit said. “I had no idea it would be so serious when I took her to A&E – kids have bruises all the time. Kaiya told me they were because she was clumsy like daddy. It was a huge crushing blow to find out she had leukaemia.”

Kaiya was taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital and given chemotherapy treatment. However, her family have been informed she needs a stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, to survive.

Ruchit and the family have launched several social media campaigns to raise awareness and to encourage people to join the stem cell donation register,

“The drugs and treatment has taken a significant impact, and [Kaiya] is very tired – but she is coping with it all and continues to look after her little sister,” the father of two said. “We’re so proud of her.”

People wanting to help or find out more can access the Be Kaiya's Donor Facebook page.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less