A baby boy sits in a hospital cot playing with some toys. He has dinosaur pyjamas on and a feeding tube in his nose.

#Register4Roo

Baby Reuben desperately needs a stem cell transplant to survive

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Aged 16 to 30? Help save the life of someone like Reuben by joining the register today.

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It costs £40 to sign someone up to the stem cell register; someone who has the potential to save a life like Reuben's. Could you help fund a lifesaver?

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"Our world fell apart overnight"

Reuben’s parents are appealing for more donors to join the stem cell register after their baby boy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. At just 10 months old he had a fever and was unwell – prompting the family (who call him Roo) to take him to the GP where it looked like he had tonsilitis.

“Reuben had been unwell for a few days, we initially thought he was teething. We never thought it would be anything like leukaemia, it blindsided us. He’s just a baby.”

Reuben's mum, Mary

The family have been at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge ever since and have been told that Reuben urgently needs a stem cell transplant.

A baby boy is lying on his Dad's chest as his Dad smiles down at him. The baby boy has a feeding tube in his nose attached to his cheek with tape
A baby boy sits in a red children's swing

When Reuben’s genetic results came back, doctors told us that if he doesn’t receive a stem cell transplant his leukaemia will be extremely likely to return after chemo. I am so scared that he might not find a match easily or quickly enough.
We knew of leukaemia, but it didn’t seem possible for it to be happening to us, we thought it was so rare. Our world fell apart overnight, and our family has been separated ever since. My daughters are having to stay with their grandparents right now. It still doesn’t feel real.

Mary, Reuben’s mum

The waiting and not knowing if Reuben will find a match is awful. We would do anything to increase his chances. Since being on the oncology ward, we have spoken to other families who have had or who need stem cell transplants, there are far more children in similar situations than I ever realised. We want to make something positive come from our situation by calling on people to join the register, for our little Roo and for anyone else in need.

Mary, Reuben’s mum
A baby boy sits on his mum's lap laughing. His mum tickles his tummy. He is holding a red babies toy and a blue sippy cup. His mum is wearing a hospital facemask.

#Register4Roo

Aged between 16 and 30?

Help save the life of someone like Reuben by joining the stem cell register today.

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