Teen Saves Five Lives in Stem Cell Donor Drive

A worldwide search for a stem cell match for 17-year-old Leo Sproson, who battled leukemia, has yielded life-changing results. Following an appeal, Leo found his donor, and remarkably, five additional matches were discovered from those who came forward. This means Leo's recovery has also enabled him to save five other lives by raising awareness.

Leo has returned home from Birmingham QE Hospital, celebrating his recovery with family. His mother expressed immense pride in his contribution to saving lives.

Thousands of miles away, 13-year-old Jasper Makungu in Zambia is recovering from Sickle Cell Disease thanks to a stem cell transplant. His sister, Mercy, was his donor, and they traveled to Bangalore for the procedure. Jasper has returned home and is reportedly full of energy, though he continues to study remotely.

The Mirror's partnership with blood cancer charity DKMS has been pivotal in these stories. DKMS reports that while Leo and Jasper have received their transplants, approximately 2,000 patients in the UK and more globally are still awaiting a match. The charity emphasizes the ease of joining the stem cell register, a simple process that could offer a second chance at life.

Jasper's journey began after the Mirror highlighted the plight of his hometown, Kabwe, a highly polluted area in Zambia where his father once dug for lead to support his family. The lack of advanced medical treatment in Zambia necessitates international travel for such procedures, making transplants inaccessible for many.

Globally, DKMS has over 13 million potential donors, facilitating over 130,000 second chances. However, registration rates, particularly among minority ethnic communities in the UK, remain critically low at just three percent of the population. Sickle cell disease, affecting around 17,000 in the UK, is a genetic condition where sickle-shaped cells can obstruct blood vessels, often proving fatal in childhood without a transplant.