Her parents posted an online plea in a desperate bid to find a donor for their 22-month-old daughter.

The tot recently finished the latest bout of chemotherapy in her battle against leukaemia. She is now due to have radiotherapy before a transplant scheduled for November 14.

Mum Anita Kan and dad Kevan Stratton posted an appeal on the social networking site Facebook asking people to register themselves on the bone marrow transplant list.

It has now reached thousands of people across the world.

Iona's ethnic background - her mum is Chinese and dad is English - meant there was a shortage of possible donors.

The family of Charles Street in Tring, were contacted on Wednesday (October 29) by The Anthony Nolan Trust to say a match had been found.

Ms Kan said: "We are really relieved. The appeal actually worked. I spoke to Anthony Nolan and they said there has been an increase in people joining the register this month. The appeal has made people more aware."

The donor, who will remain anonymous, lives in Australia. Tests have shown it is a 10 out of 10 match, which means Iona will have the best chance of her body accepting the transplant.

Ms Kan, aged 34, said: "This is just one hurdle we have got over. There is still many more. It is a very high risk transplant but she needs it and we have no choice."

She added: "I'm really grateful and want to say thank you to all those who took the step to register."

It is hoped the transplant will prevent Iona's leukaemia, which was diagnosed when she was just 13-weeks-old, from returning.

Ms Kan said: "There are so many families out there that are in the same situation. I would really like people to continue registering. It is important, it is the gift of life," she said.

Details of Iona's progress will be posted on the Facebook page called Bone Marrow Appeal for baby Iona Stratton.


Visit Iona's page by clicking HERE.