A toddler who is suffering from leukemia can be helped by his younger brother with the stem cells that were harvested from the umbilical cord when he was born.
Three-year-old Nathan Shorey has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and he was told so in 2010 and to help him stem cell transplant might be needed if his condition deteriorates.
His younger brother Samuel’s stem cells that were taken from his umbilical cord were tested and they matched and this has made the parents hopeful.
Parents Melanie, 34, and Michael, 36, were delighted when the cells matched.
Melanie, an admin clerk from Ellington, Northumberland, said,
“Samuel's stem cells have been tested and are a match for Nathan so can be used if needed.”
Melanie had noticed a rash on Nathan’s arms and thighs and he was taken to Wansbeck General Hospital where he had a blood test and the condition was diagnosed.
Presently Nathan is getting treated at the North Tyneside General Hospital where he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Nathan was mostly in the hospital after his condition surfaced and he is now doing well and awaits his 19 months of maintenance chemotherapy remaining at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.