People who use council property and funding for large events could soon be able to register people for stem cell donations.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Reena Ranger at a full Three Rivers Council meeting after she was inspired by six-year-old Kaiya Patel who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Leukaemia earlier this year.

Cllr Ranger said: “There are festivals, park runs and so many other events that attract large numbers of people from diverse backgrounds.

“It seems logical that when we have these groups of people in one place, we provide that opportunity for selfless strangers to give someone a second chance in life.”

Since her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia diagnosis in March, Kaiya from Rickmansworth has seen furious support from her parents, Annu and Ruchit, and hundreds of well-wishers determined to find her a donor.

Six months later after over 100 donor drives, a match was found.

Kaiya with sister, Annika

The shortage of registered minority ethnic donors means patients have about a 20 per cent chance of finding a match, compared to 69 per cent for Brits and northern Europeans.

Cllr Ranger said this is due, in part, to the low number of donors registered from those backgrounds, and because minority ethnic patients tend to have more varied tissue.

Cllr Ranger went on to say: “Kaiya has inspired me and many other people. She has reaffirmed the change I am going to make which is making a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Leader of the council, Sara Bedford, added: “Since it is a worldwide register, someone in another country could benefit. From this chamber in Three Rivers, we could make a positive impact upon people around the world. Thanks to all those who are already on the register, but we do need more to sign up and possibly save lives.”

Leader of the Conservative Group, Alex Hayward said: “If someone’s heritage precluded them from something, or led to some inequality, many people would stand and fight for change. This initiative will help the wider population and minorities.”

Leader of the Labour Group, Stephen Cox added: “We need to make people aware of their lifesaving ability and help them to sign up to the register with ease with an actual part of themselves. A simple cheek swab could be the key to saving someone’s life.”