HUNDREDS of people have signed up to become bone marrow donors after a mother-of-two issued an urgent appeal.

Ruby Cruz, 37, of Boundary Road, Walthamstow, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer late last year.

Because Ms Cruz, who is originally from El Salvador, is from an ethnic minority it reduces her chances of finding a suitable donor in the UK.

The social worker at Enfield Council set up the Register for Ruby campaign and has organised events to encourage people to sign up to become donors.

Elspeth Fuller, who is a colleague of Ms Cruz, helped organise events in Enfield, Vauxhall and Canning Town last weekend.

Ms Fuller said: “It is obviously very sad that she is missing moments with her children. It kinds of breaks your heart.

“We both have children around the same age and I can relate to her.

“Ruby and I are friends as well as colleagues and it seems so unfair for her to be ill. She looks after herself better than I do so there’s a sense of injustice.”

Ms Fuller said when the two mothers scheduled a play date last summer, Ms Cruz cancelled saying she had to go to the doctor about a lump on her neck.

After being sent for a scan doctors diagnosed Ms Cruz with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma.

She began chemotherapy last November which she has responded well to but her best chance of beating the disease is to find a donor.

Over 200 people signed up at the campaign’s events so far.

The next event will be held at Drapers Hall in Hampton Street, Elephant and Castle, at 2pm on Saturday, February 25.