A man diagnosed with leukaemia as a baby and told he would likely be infertile after treatment has spoken of his 'miracle' survival after becoming a father 30 years later. Josh Catford, 30, from Dorset, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at just seven months old in April 1996, a rare cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment
He spent months undergoing intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, before a matching donor was found through the charity Anthony Nolan. He later received a stem cell transplant that doctors said gave him the best chance of survival. Now, three decades on, Josh is preparing to run the TCS London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helped save his life.
Speaking about the challenge, he said: 'I wanted to mark something - and 30 years is a big milestone. I wanted to do something completely out of my comfort zone and for Anthony Nolan, which, essentially, helped save my life.'
Mother's Persistence
Josh's mother, Sarah Catford, said the journey began when she noticed a '10p-sized lump' on his leg after a routine immunisation. She recalled repeated visits to doctors before the seriousness of his condition was finally recognised. 'I took him to the doctor's and they didn't know what it was, but they didn't think it was connected to the immunisations,' she said, adding that the doctors initially reassured her and sent them home, but the lump did not go away and she continued to seek medical advice, eventually requesting a specialist referral. Even then, she said a consultant dismissed concerns and suggested returning in six months if there was no change. Unsatisfied, Sarah returned again when Josh became acutely unwell overnight with a high temperature, at which point he was taken to the hospital for urgent assessment.
Diagnosis and Transplant
He was initially suspected to have meningitis before further tests were carried out. 'It was a massive shock, I wasn't expecting that,' she said, after being told it was likely leukaemia. Josh was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he was formally diagnosed with ALL on April 23, 1996. 'It was utter disbelief,' Sarah said. 'I just remember having to give Josh to my husband because I thought I was going to drop him because it was such a shock. You only hear that and think, well, that's it, he's going to die. That's all you think about.'
Josh began chemotherapy immediately and responded quickly to initial treatment, but doctors said he would need a stem cell transplant to give him the best chance of long-term survival. At the time, his family were told survival beyond five years could not be guaranteed. They were also warned that the treatment would likely leave him infertile. Sarah said: 'It shocked and upset me... but it wasn't going to stop us putting him through all the treatment because we wanted him here and we knew that, one day, there'd be something that would help him.' In May 1996, tests showed neither Sarah nor Josh's father nor sister were a match. A donor was then found through Anthony Nolan - a 39-year-old man. Josh underwent the transplant in December 1996.
Recovery and 'Little Miracle'
Josh's recovery was difficult, with complications following the procedure, but he was discharged in April 1997, around a year after his diagnosis. 'The hospital actually threw a party for him when we left because we'd been in there longer than anyone else. It was the best feeling to be leaving,' Sarah said. During his time at Great Ormond Street, Josh also received a visit from Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, something his family still remembers.
Doctors had warned Sarah that Josh was unlikely to be able to have children in adulthood following his treatment. However, Josh went on to defy expectations again. In 2025, his partner Rebecca gave birth to their son Alfie, conceived naturally. Josh said he had continued to receive medical warnings even shortly before Alfie's birth, with doctors still saying the chances of having children were extremely low, describing his son as 'a little miracle'. Sarah also said her son had been given little chance of survival in his early years, calling him 'a fighter' and saying hospital staff had repeatedly referred to him as 'a little miracle' because he overcame so many severe complications.
Life Today and Marathon
Following his transplant, Josh took daily penicillin for 18 years due to a weakened immune system and continues to attend regular check-ups, although he is no longer on medication for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Now marking 30 years since his diagnosis, Josh is preparing to run the London Marathon to raise funds for Anthony Nolan and hopes to raise £2,500. He said he expects to be emotional at the finish line, adding: 'It will be a whirlwind of emotions, but I'll just feel thankful that I've been able to do it and I'm here 30 years later to be able to do it.'
Sarah said the family will be at the finish line and are 'so immensely proud' of him, adding she expects to be 'in floods of tears'. Josh and Sarah are also encouraging others to join the stem cell donor register, saying it is a simple step that can help save lives.
