A PORT Seton man has launched an appeal to save his life after being told he needs stem cell treatment as he battles cancer.

Dave Reynolds is being treated for an aggressive Non-Hodgkin lymphoma at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.

But doctors have told him he needs a stem cell donation if he is going to recover.

Now dad-of-three Dave, who turns 50 next month, is appealing for volunteers to register with the British Bone Marrow Registry and Anthony Nolan Trust in a bid to find him a perfect match.

Dave, who works as an investigations manager for BT, has been supported by his family and colleagues during his battle.

He has undergone seven rounds of chemotherapy, including one strong dose which put him into a coma for five days.

Dave’s wife Dian was warned by doctors to prepare for the worst during that incident.

Dave said: “I went to sleep and didn’t wake up. Luckily, I came back.

“But now my only hope is a stem cell donor. It’s getting close to being my last chance saloon.”

Dave’s family has been tested, including his three grown-up sons, and they are waiting for the results, which take four weeks.

In the meantime, Dave, of Poplar Park, has made a public appeal for more volunteers to sign up and be tested to help him and others win their fight for life.

Dave said: “Anyone who registers as a donor won’t just potentially be helping me – they could be ‘the one’ who can save the life of anyone else in this situation.

“The more names there are on the register, the greater the chances of a match.”

Dave’s colleagues at BT wanted to volunteer for testing but as they were all aged over 40 they were not eligible. They also joined Dave’s appeal, calling on everyone they know to sign up.

Close friend John Sime, who worked with Dave when they were both call centre managers in Edinburgh, said: “Dave is a fantastic colleague and we were all devastated to hear his bad news.

“He’s undergone some brutal treatment in the last year and now a donor is his best chance.

“We got in touch with the Anthony Nolan Trust and British Bone Marrow Registry, but unfortunately, we’re all on the wrong side of 40, so are too old to register.

“We hope that by sharing his story, someone might be able to help.”

Dave has worked for BT for 29 years.

People can register with the Anthony Nolan Trust at www.anthonynolan.org or the British Bone Marrow Registry at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/british-bone-marrow-registry