A teenager from Bromsgrove who initially attributed his exhaustion to starting a new college course was later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. Leo Sproson, 17, had been studying electrical engineering when he began feeling lethargic and noticed bruises appearing on his body. His mother, Jenna, grew concerned and took him to a doctor, where blood tests revealed the presence of blood cancer.
Emergency Treatment and Search for a Donor
Leo was immediately admitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where doctors informed him he required an urgent blood transfusion and a stem cell transplant. Since no strong match was found within his family, a search was launched through the blood cancer charity DKMS UK. The community responded overwhelmingly, with over 700 people attending a donor registration event in Bromsgrove to support Leo and others in need.
Hopeful News Before Christmas
In December, the family received a life-changing update: an anonymous stem cell donor had been identified as a match. Jenna expressed her gratitude, saying: "We were blessed just before Christmas with the best gift any of us could have asked for. Not only were we told that Leo had achieved remission, but we also found out that he had a stem cell donor match."
Recovery at Home
Leo underwent his transplant in February and has since been able to return home. He shared his relief: "It's been so great to be able to go home. I just feel so much better being in my own bed than in the hospital." The family's campaign has had a broader impact, helping at least five other individuals from their community become potential matches for patients worldwide. This coincides with World Blood Cancer Day, which calls for more donors in the West Midlands to register.
