A widower, whose wife died from leukaemia last year, is appealing to people to join the bone marrow register on her birthday.

Emma Kaminski, of Wyke, would have celebrated her 31st birthday on Saturday, March 22. But she was overcome by a rare form of leukaemia last September, just as a tissue transplant match was found for her which could have saved her life.

Tragically, for Emma, it was too late. But her widower John, a greetings card agent, hopes Emma's friends who are still battling leukaemia, will be saved by other's selflessness and come to a clinic in Bradford on Saturday, March 22. "It would be lovely to get as many people as possible there," said John.

"It is so important for more people to be on the register. Many of the people Emma met while she was poorly are still looking for a match, and it is very difficult for them."

Zoe Waterworth, Emma's friend and John's niece, organised a donor clinic last May at the Midland Hotel.

Zoe asked John, 49, if they could hold another one in Emma's name on her birthday, also at the Midland from 12pm to 5pm.

Donors must be 18 to 40, or 43 for males and ethnic minorities, and weigh more than eight stone. There is a shortage of men and ethnic minority donors. Call Megan Godden, the Anthony Nolan Trust donor recruitment officer, on (07789) 032872.