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2 hours ago Angela Ferguson North West Family handout Ronnie, aged 18 months, underwent a stem cell transplant in hospital after an anonymous donor came forward An 18-month-old boy with a rare blood condition has been given "a second chance at life" after undergoing a life-saving stem cell transplant, his mum has said. Ronnie, from Wirral on Merseyside, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia - which is fatal if left untreated - a week before his first birthday in March last year. He underwent the transplant after a suitable anonymous match was found in the US, with Ronnie's mum Laura saying: "I can't describe the feeling of what the donor did for our little boy." The 31-year-old said Ronnie was "doing absolutely amazing" back home after the transplant in August.
She said: "Thank you will never be enough for him [the donor], but I think to say it face to face and even if he was able to meet our little boy, that he's given a second chance at life, it would be amazing. "But no words will ever show our appreciation for him." Aplastic anaemia occurs when the bone marrow cannot make enough new blood cells for the body to work normally, with about 100 to 150 new cases in the UK every year. "It's been one of the craziest and hardest years but we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," said Laura.
She said Ronnie had just started crawling when she noticed he was bruising more and three days later she noticed blood coming from his nose, blisters in his mouth, and red dots on his body. Ronnie underwent the stem cell transplant at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and also underwent treatment at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. Laura said that "the donor cells have worked the magic" and he was at 100% donor cells and was now producing his own white and red blood cells and platelets as well.
Family handout Ronnie still has weekly hospital visits as part of his treatment Laura said Ronnie had shown great strength throughout his treatment and recovery, explaining that "as soon as he got home [from hospital], he straight away ran to his little toy corner and got his toys out". "He just kept being the Ronnie that we know him to be, which is a joyful strong little boy," she said. She said they were told by medics that Ronnie would probably go off his food during treatment but this had "never ever happened" and he continued to enjoy it.
She said Ronnie was now walking and running around the house, although they have to isolate due to the risk of infections as he has a condition called neutropenia, which reduces white blood cells that are essential for fighting bacterial infections. Medics have told the family they should be able to resume their favourite family activities, such as visiting the zoo or going swimming, in February or March of next year. Laura said they may not be able to take Ronnie out to pick a pumpkin for Halloween, but they would still be celebrating at home and "we are still going to get him dressed up".
She said it was crucial for her and her partner and their eight-year-old son Regan to be able to make memories to tell Ronnie about as he grows up. Family handout Laura says "the simple things" gave Ronnie joy when he came out of hospital, including watching cars drive past She said that they had been on "an emotional rollercoaster", having been told in May that Ronnie's genetics meant it was unlikely that a 10 out of 10 donor match would be found. They were then told there were no suitable matches for their next best option of a nine out of 10 match and they were going to start immunotherapy, which "would just have kept Ronnie going until a match was hopefully found".
But a consultant told them a 10 out of 10 match had been found on the night before that treatment was due to start. She said Ronnie was booked in for a transplant on 4 August and "he absolutely smashed it". PA Media Ronnie is now recovering at home with his family after undergoing a stem cell transplant Laura said she and her family of Everton fans were deeply touched when the club made an appeal for new donors to sign up to the Anthony Nolan stem cell register at the Merseyside derby in April 2025.
"I remember crying and people saying 'is that your son'", she said, after seeing him pop up on a display at the ground. "It is a memory that will always live with me." An Everton spokesperson said Ronnie "touched the hearts of everyone across the city at the Merseyside derby in April when the club first highlighted his fight with aplastic anaemia". About 1,000 new donors signed up to the Anthony Nolan register as a direct result of the poster, the club said.
Everton FC Everton FC displayed this poster appeal at the Merseyside derby in April Laura and her family said they would be eternally grateful to Anthony Nolan and urged more people to join the stem cell register to help children like Ronnie as well as those with other conditions such as leukaemia. Rowena Bentley from Anthony Nolan, said: "We're so pleased to hear that Ronnie is doing well following his transplant. "Ronnie's story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing difference one person can make, and the support shown by Everton fans in April reflects the incredible spirit of the club and the city of Liverpool." More like this story Related internet links
Source: BBC
