Stem cell donation: saving lives like Jensen’s

"When Jensen was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, our lives changed forever," says Terri.

She and her family were looking forward to celebrating her son Jensen's seventh birthday when what they thought was an infection prompted them to take him to hospital.

Sadly, it wasn't an infection, but "the start of a long and scary journey."

Aplastic anaemia is a rare bone marrow disorder that causes low counts of red and white blood cells and platelets. People like Jensen suffer infections, fatigue, bruising and bleeding, among other symptoms.

"Jensen received his first blood and platelet transfusions the very first night he was in hospital," says Terri. "That's when it sunk in just how serious it was – and he went on to have blood once a week and platelets twice a week."

Without blood and platelet donors, these lifesaving transfusions would not be possible

"Donors of every type are incredibly special," says Terri. "It's thanks to people like them that my boy is on the road to recovery." But where luck really played a part was in finding a match for Jensen's stem cell transplant.

Stem cells are the building blocks of the body. Produced in bone marrow, they can grow into different cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Stem cell transplants are often the only cure for people with diseases like aplastic anaemia.

Finding a matching donor for a stem cell transplant is difficult, however. Only 30% of matching donations come from a patient's family member, meaning the other 70% depend on volunteer donors on a register.

"Jensen has made fantastic progress," says Terri. "While his recovery journey is slow, he's becoming more himself each day. I feel like I've got my little boy back. We were really lucky that he had a match on the stem cell registries - not everybody does - and that that person agreed to donate.

"The anonymous stem cell donor will always hold a special place in our hearts for saving Jensen's life. Thanks to this kind donor, Jensen hasn't needed a transfusion since September and is fortunate to continue living life, all because of this lovely stem cell donor."

To help provide people like Jensen with matching donations, the NHS is calling for blood, plasma and platelet donors aged between 17 and 40 to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry.

In order to join, donors should tell a member of staff before their next donation. An extra blood sample will then be taken. If you are found as a match for a patient in need, we will contact you. You will be supported throughout the whole process, and we will cover expenses or losses of earnings.

By joining the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry you could one day be a lifesaving match for a patient like Jensen.

Find out more about joining the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry today.