A student who survived a year-long battle with a rare cancer after she launched a worldwide appeal for a stem cell donor has beaten the odds to graduate.

Vithiya Alphons received a degree in optometry from Cardiff University yesterday (Tuesday, July 18), two years after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer.

The 25-year-old, who is from Walthamstow, fell ill in 2015, just days after returning to university to prepare for the final year of her studies.

She then made international news by starting an online appeal from her bedside to find a suitable stem cell donor after being told she had just months to live without the treatment.

Although no suitable match was found, Vithiya’s mother donated stem cells in a last-ditch bid to save her daughter, who was finally given the all-clear this year after five rounds of chemotherapy.

Vithiya said: “It was really tough returning to my studies due to my treatment and low immune system, I couldn’t go to lectures and had to do it on my own with recordings and powerpoints.

“I was not going to allow cancer to get in the way of getting my degree and my dream of becoming an optician.”

Although Vithiya’s search for a donor was ultimately unsuccessful, the youngster’s campaign made an impact that is likely to be felt for generations to come.

At the time, just 13 per cent of stem cell donors on a worldwide register were of black or Asian ethnicity.

However, her story inspired some 10,000 new people to sign up to the register, 42 per cent of which came from BAME backgrounds.

Her efforts also saw her nominated for cancer charity Anthony Nolan’s BAME Advocate of the Year award.

Vithiya thanked her friends and family at home and university for their support, as well as the thousands who helped with her appeal.

She added: “Cardiff University and the School of Optometry in particular were incredibly supportive. I could not have achieved my dream of completing my degree without my amazing supervisors.

“I just hope that my story will help encourage anyone who is going through tough times to not give up - anything is possible.

“To all those going through hard times, trust in God, work hard and never, ever give up. If I can do this, you can do this.”

Vithiya is now preparing to take up her first job as an optometrist, which she begins in August.