Nathan Hancock desperately needs a donor to help him defeat a rare form of cancer, but his case is complicated by his mixed heritage.

Anyone could be a match for the 22-year-old but his search is harder because of the significant lack of mixed and ethnic donors, who could be the best match.

Nathan, who lives in Skegness, Lincolnshire, has a West Indies and white heritage and is appealing for people with the same, or similar, roots to join a donor register.

He said: "Finding a match would mean the difference between life and death, not only for me, but for the thousands of others who desperately need a bone marrow transplant."

Nathan, who works with adults with learning difficulties, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a very rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in February.

He was rushed into Nottingham's City Hospital and treated with very aggressive chemotherapy which forced the cancer into remission.

But within weeks of leaving hospital, Nathan became extremely ill and has just discovered the cancer has returned.

Now Nathan is fighting for his life and needs help.

He needs bone marrow urgently to rebuild his immune system to have a fighting chance.

You can help by registering with the Anthony Nolan Trust or the National Blood Service as a bone marrow donor.

For more information about the Anthony Nolan Trust or to register as a donor, visit www.anthonynolan.org.uk Tel, 0901 8822234, or email newdonor@anthonynolan.org.uk

For information about the National Blood Service's bone marrow donor service, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0845 7711711.