A 16-year-old boy from the Midlands has been given an early Christmas present he describes as the 'best ever' – the news that a matching stem cell donor has been found for his lifesaving transplant.
A Lifeline Before Christmas
Leo Sproson from Bromsgrove was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia earlier this year after feeling unusually tired and developing large bruises. His diagnosis led to an urgent admission to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he immediately needed a blood transfusion. Doctors soon confirmed he would require a stem cell transplant for a chance at survival.
With only one in three patients finding a match within their own family, and none of Leo's relatives being suitable, the search turned to the national donor register. The odds were daunting, as just 7% of the eligible UK population is signed up as potential donors.
Community Rallies to Save a Life
Leo's family began working with the blood cancer charity DKMS to encourage more people to join the stem cell register. Their campaign culminated in a major donor registration event in Bromsgrove last month, where an incredible over 700 people turned up to give swab samples, with hundreds more requesting postal kits.
"We have been blessed with fantastic news before Christmas," said Leo's mother, Jenna. "Not only were we told last week that Leo had achieved remission but we have now also been told that Leo has a stem cell donor match."
She expressed profound gratitude, stating: "We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who is on, or has registered with DKMS to join the stem cell register – you are literally saving lives."
The Road to Recovery in 2026
The anonymous match means Leo can now proceed with his transplant journey. He is scheduled to be admitted to hospital in mid-January 2026. The preparation is intensive; he will be isolated for up to six weeks, undergoing further chemotherapy and unable to have visitors or return home due to his vulnerable state.
Jenna will stay by her son's side throughout the entire hospital stay. "He is after all still only 16 and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else," she said. While acknowledging the chaos of pre-transplant tests and appointments, the family remains "incredibly positive, and extremely blessed."
Bronagh Hughes, a spokesperson for DKMS, highlighted that while Leo's wait is over, around 2,000 other blood cancer patients in the UK are still searching for their match. She urged the public to consider registering, noting: "You might be the lifesaving match that someone is waiting for."
Potential donors can order a free swab kit from the DKMS website to join the register.
