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Teen's 2-Week Death Sentence Reversed by Sister's Match
9 Apr
Summary
- A 17-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia and given two weeks to live.
- His younger sister, Jessie, was a perfect bone marrow match.
- He is now considered cured after a transplant and decade of checks.
Jody White, then 17, received a shocking diagnosis of acute undifferentiated leukaemia (AUL), with doctors initially stating he had only two weeks to live without treatment. His world collapsed, leading to immediate chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This treatment resulted in severe side effects like hair and weight loss, and a dangerous bout of pneumonia that required intensive care.
Following this critical period, Jody's parents were informed that a bone marrow transplant offered his best chance at survival. A search among Jody's three siblings revealed that his 11-year-old sister, Jessie, was a perfect match. In February 2000, Jessie underwent a procedure to donate bone marrow from her hips, which was then transfused into Jody.
After weeks of isolation and anti-rejection medication, Jody's condition showed significant improvement by April 2000. The successful transplant eliminated the risk of the cancer returning. Following a decade of regular check-ups and monitoring, Jody's consultant confirmed he was "as good as cured," a magical and deeply relieving moment for him and his family.
