A five-year-old boy from Shropshire is celebrating Christmas after a successful stem cell transplant last year. The transplant, which used umbilical cord blood donated 15 years earlier, has given him a chance at a longer life.
A five-year-old Shropshire boy is celebrating Christmas one year on from a stem cell transplant which used blood from an umbilical cord donated during the festive period 15 years earlier. He was diagnosed in 2021, aged 17 months, and given just one or two years to live without a stem cell transplant .
Gunner received a transplant shortly after Christmas in January this year, using stem cells collected from umbilical cord blood that was generously donated to NHS Blood and Transplant just before Christmas in 2008. Gunner’s mum, Holly Lewis-Vale is supporting an ongoing appeal for more people to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry. She said:'It’s incredible to think how much life has changed over the last year for Gunner and the wider family. We had a really difficult first half of the year, when Gunner had to isolate after the stem cell transplant but we’re now really beginning to see the difference it has made and are enjoying celebrating Christmas all together. 'Gunner and his big sister, Daisy, turned on the Christmas lights in our village this year, which was extremely special and added to the magic of this time of year. We’re spending Christmas Day with my dad and sister and are excited to create memories together as a family.'We are so grateful to the mother who chose to donate her child’s umbilical cord all of those years ago - without them, Gunner wouldn’t have been able to have his stem cell transplant and things would look very different for us this Christmas. 'I cannot urge people enough to register as a stem cell donor if they are able. It really does make a huge difference to the people who need a stem cell transplant – and their families, too.' Gunner has Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Hurler Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that affects many parts of the bod
STEM CELL TRANSPLANT CHRISTMAS CHILD HEALTH GENETIC DISORDER NHS BLOOD AND TRANSPLANT
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New power-sharing agreement with Shropshire Council to be launched in north Shropshire townA national pilot study is due to launch in Market Drayton that will test and develop long-term power-sharing agreements between Shropshire Council and the community.
Read more »
Aldi gives shoppers in Shropshire chance to win Christmas shop with Big Advent GiveawayThis December, Aldi is spreading festive cheer with the launch of its Big Advent Giveaway.
Read more »
a Shropshire cat's Christmas without ownersMeet the people in Shropshire bringing fun to cats spending Christmas away from home.
Read more »
Dedicated Shropshire volunteer joins Prince and Princess of Wales at Christmas carol serviceA dedicated Shropshire volunteer joined the Prince and Princess of Wales at Christmas carol service.
Read more »
We visit the award-winning Shropshire cafe where it really is Christmas every dayA festive cafe in Shropshire celebrates Christmas every day - except on December 25
Read more »
Extra police officers on patrol across Shropshire this ChristmasExtra police officers will be on duty across Shropshire this festive season ensuring a safer night out for all.
Read more »