A teenager is scheduled to undergo crucial treatment on Wednesday thanks to a life-saving donor identified following an appeal by a news outlet. The search for a stem cell match for Leo Sproson, 16, who is battling leukemia, was first reported last year. The young boy requires the transplant for a second chance at life.
A suitable donor was located after collaborating with the blood cancer charity DKMS to boost the registry numbers. Despite some delays due to tests, Leo’s father was asked to donate his stem cells due to the severity of his son’s condition. Fortunately, both Leo and the anonymous donor, deemed a 10/12 match, were deemed ready for the procedure.
Jenna, Leo’s mother, received a call confirming that the unrelated match for Leo was cleared for the transplant. This news was met with immense relief as Leo was spared from needing radiotherapy.
Following the appeal, over 1,000 people registered online, and more than 700 individuals signed up in a single day at an event near Birmingham where Leo resides. Jenna, who owns a pet care business, had to isolate with her son at the Birmingham QE Hospital during this time. The transplant procedure lasted only an hour.
A spokesperson from DKMS expressed joy over finding a donor for Leo and wished him a successful recovery. They highlighted the ongoing need for more donors and commended Leo and his family for sharing their story to inspire others to join the stem cell donor registry.
Jenna and Leo’s father, Warren, a driver, remain committed to raising awareness about the importance of becoming donors. Blood cancers rank as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with nearly 13,000 individuals succumbing to these diseases annually.
Approximately 2,000 people in the UK are awaiting a stem cell transplant at any given time. England implemented an opt-out system for organ donation, dubbed ‘Max and Keira’s Law,’ in honor of two children who were involved in a lifesaving organ donation. This legislation followed a successful campaign by a news outlet.
Leo faced liver failure shortly after his 12th birthday before being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at 16. Warren expressed gratitude for the support received from strangers, emphasizing its significance. Leo’s aunt Kate, a fitness instructor in Bromsgrove, also played a crucial role in advocating for potential donors to join the stem cell register.
To order a swab kit for stem cell donation, visit dkms.org.uk.
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