Leicestershire Constabulary have forwarded a message of thanks to members of the International Police Association (IPA) following their help in circulating an appeal via its worldwide network.
In December, Section UK of IPA learned that Rik Basra, a serving officer with Leicestershire Police, was in urgent need of a bone marrow donor and set the wheels in motion to contact as many IPA members as possible.
We're pleased to report that a donor was found for Rik and he received a transplant on 24 December. The IPA contacted Rik, via Leicestershire Police, to wish him well in his recovery and an update message to all IPA members is shown below.
Update on Inspector Rik Basra
Rik has made steady progress since receiving his stem cell (bone marrow) transplant on December 24, 2011. The procedure went very well and doctors have been so pleased with his progress that they allowed him to leave hospital on Thursday January 12 – just 19 days after the transplant.
However, the first 100 days post-transplant are crucial to Rik’s continued recovery and it is vital that he doesn’t pick up any infections during this time, so he is effectively in quarantine at home. He is only allowed to leave the house for his weekly hospital appointments and is not allowed visitors, minimising any potential risk of infection.Post-100 days (April) if all goes according to plan, Rik has a further milestone of another 100 days (July) during which he will be weaned off anti-rejection drugs, allowing the new immune system to take over. At this point, Rik will be able to receive visitors on the proviso that they don’t have any illness.
Whilst there is still a long way to go, Rik is staying very positive and is walking around the house to exercise, eating and resting appropriately to build up his strength.
Rik and his family would like to thank IPA members for their support during his illness, the campaign to find a suitable donor and his subsequent transplant.
Also attached below is a link to a Leicester Mercury article published on January 16.
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Captain-Marvel-allowed-home-following-transplant/story-14437126-detail/story.html