A BRAVE Greenock woman has told how she overcame life-threatening blood cancer thanks to a stem cell transplant from a German donor she is now set to meet.

Inspirational Gillian Duffy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia three years ago, facing gruelling treatment and then a life-saving transplant.

Following her recovery the stalwart local football coach is now set to make history as she becomes the first woman and youngest person ever to take on a top national football role.

She is gearing up to serve as vice-president of the Scottish Schools Football Association, a cause she has devoted her life to.

Gillian, a fit and healthy PE teacher, was devastated when she was given the news that she had leukaemia in June 2018 and had to start lifesaving treatment.

She said: "The leukaemia was so tough.

"I was in hospital for months and I faced one hundred days of isolation after."

She needed a stem cell transplant but unfortunately there was no donor who matched close to home.

Gillian told the Tele: "I have a massive big family, so many cousins, and unbelievably there was no match.

"But thankfully they did find a German donor."

The PE teacher underwent chemotherapy and then radiotherapy to get her ready for the transplant.

Gillian was moved from her bed at the Beatson to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for the operation.

Healthy stems cells were taken from her donor and transferred to her in a number of stages.

Gillian, from Iona Street, said: "The chemotherapy was okay but the radiotherapy was the worst.

"Your body is literally blasted so there is nothing left, you are a shell.

"What is remarkable is that when I went in I was a blood type A and left an O.

"It also changed my DNA.

"I had to isolate for 100 days after it because I had no immune system left.

"I was just getting back to normal when Covid hit and I was isolating again."

The coach has now made contact with her lifesaving donor in Germany.

The pair have exchanged letters and plan to meet.

Gillian said: "We are connected now."

During her stay in hospital Gillian received a visit from former Celtic player Stilian Petrov, who battled leukaemia, and she says it lifted her spirits.

She added: "He actually gave me a row and told me to get back to my bed because he was worried about me."

Her treatment at the Beatson inspired Gillian to organise a sports dinner on the first anniversary of her transplant, with top table guests former Scotland manager Craig Brown and sports broadcaster Chick Young helping to raise £7,000 for the unit.

Gillian added: "I just wanted to give something back."

Former PE teacher Gillian has been a long-time ambassador for school football and the women's game.

The assistant coach of an under-15s girls side told the Tele: "It's the greatest honour of my life to take this new role on.

"I am the first woman and the youngest to do it and want to show girls, and boys, that anything is possible.

"I am a wee girl from Larkfield and want kids to know that if you give up your own time then it opens up all kinds of doors for you.

"I love school football, it is open to anyone of all abilities, it is all about playing with your friends and getting a chance.

"We have had so many great players coming through, including local girls like Stephanie Knox, Chloe Logan and Amy Muir.

"But when I was a wee girl growing up there were no opportunities for girls to play after a certain age.

"So I did the next best thing and went into PE teaching, which I just loved.

"I have loved being involved in the football and the girls game, it has gone from strength to strength."

In 2012 Gillian applied to volunteer at the London Olympics and ended up being headhunted for a job co-ordinating training for the women's teams playing football matches at Hampden.

She said: "I was responsible for the training and I looked after the USA team, Japan and North Korea.

"It was a great experience."

Gillian hopes to inspire young people to take on volunteering, after the opportunities it has afforded her.

The former St Patrick's and St Columba's High pupil said: "If it was not for someone encouraging me, I wouldn't have had so many experiences.

"That's why I am so passionate about giving up time to help run sport."

After a couple of years as SSFA vice-president Gillian will become president and she hopes to help ladies football go from strength to strength.

She said: "There is so much we want to do and I can't wait to get started."