Mother appeals for more stem cell donors after her young son’s leukaemia relapses
A mother from Worcestershire is appealing for more people to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell donor register after learning her young son needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant.
Chrissie Edwards is calling for young people to sign up to the blood cancer charity’s register to help save the lives of people with blood cancer and blood disorders.
Chrissie’s six-year-old son, Jack Edwards, learned in early December that his leukaemia has relapsed and his family were told that his best chance of survival is now a stem cell transplant.
When she learned of the relapse Chrissie said: ‘Half my heart’s broken and the other half is bursting with pride because my son is the bravest and most amazing son I could ever wish for.
‘Jack has 12 weeks of intense chemo and during this time he will have to stay in hospital as he will be so poorly and at risk of infection. After the 12 weeks he will need a stem cell transplant, so he will need to find a donor before then. Please register on the Anthony Nolan website to become a donor and to help save the lives of people like Jack.’
Jack was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in January 2013 when he was just three years old.
He had three years of chemotherapy and it was hoped he would be in full remission by the summer of 2016.
But, after a period of ill health in the autumn, doctors discovered in December that he had relapsed.
Jack now needs intensive chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. This would aim to give new, healthy stem cells to Jack via his bloodstream, where they would begin to grow and create healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Sadly, his siblings are not suitable matches for him so he is dependent upon Anthony Nolan finding him an unrelated donor.
His family are urging 16 to 30-year-olds to join the Anthony Nolan register.
They also want potential donors to know that in 90 per cent of cases, the donation process is a simple outpatient procedure which is similar to giving blood.
Chrissie said: ‘We are staying positive that we will find at least one donor who is a perfect match and a lifeline for Jack.
‘To make this dream come true for us, and for other families around the country, it is vital that more people understand how simple and important it is to join the register.’
The Edwards family are holding a recruitment event for Jack on the 14 January, from 3.30pm until 7pm at Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster - and they're urging potential donors to come and sign up to the register. To follow Jack’s story, visit www.facebook.com/JackEdwardsJourneyLeukeamia