Baz receives lifesaving stem cells from his big sister Eva
Five-year-old Baz has recently returned to school following treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for aplastic anaemia.
It’s a serious condition affecting the blood, where the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells.
Following chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant donated by his big sister, Harry, better known as “Baz”, is thriving and has recently celebrated his “rebirthday” a year after his transplant.
Mum Steph and Dad Darrel from Tamworth first noticed Baz was poorly when they saw marks on his chest and collarbone and bruising on his legs.
Following a visit to their local hospital, doctors found that his platelet levels were dangerously low. He was blue-lighted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital to receive care from its specialist Haematology Service.
Steph shared: “I was filled with fear - realisation was sinking in that my child is seriously poorly.”
Baz was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in February last year. Only three to four children are treated at the Children’s Hospital for the condition every year.
To treat the illness, Baz urgently needed a stem cell transplant. Following a nationwide search, the only match found was Baz’s nine-year-old sister Eva.
Steph explained: “We had lots of long chats with Eva about donating her stem cells but she said, ‘Mummy I want to do it.’”
Eva also spoke with the Human Tissue Authority to ensure she was happy to donate her bone marrow.
Darrel said: “We’re extremely proud of her and she’s been very brave throughout her procedure and Baz’s hospital say. She saved her brother’s life.”
Baz was moved into protective isolation ahead of the procedure.
Looking back on their time in hospital, Darrel shared: “Our lives completely changed from that point onward. Imagine the COVID-19 lockdown, but even more intense. We grieved for our previous life.”
Steph shared: “Although it was very hard and at first, we dreaded coming to hospital, it soon became a second home and haven for us.
“The staff are some of the best people I have ever met. They always put Baz first and explained to him everything that was going on in a way that was easy to understand.
“They made the environment a warm and friendly place, not somewhere scary. Now, Baz actually misses coming into hospital. He’s made friends for life on the ward.”
Eva underwent a single procedure to donate her bone marrow and Baz underwent a transplant in April.
The operation was successful and both he and his sister recovered well. Following further care from the teams, Baz was finally able to return home.
Recently, he celebrated his “rebirthday” a year after his life-saving transplant and has gone back to school.
Steph stressed the incredible care they received at hospital. She said: “I'll never, ever forget the staff. They’ve etched places onto our heart forever. They didn’t just look after us as parents, they looked after Baz like he was their child as well. A million ‘thank yous’ wouldn’t seem enough.”
Dr Sarah Lawson, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist at the Children’s Hospital, said: “Baz was in hospital for many months but has shown an extremely good response with evidence of full donor engraftment and is now in full immune recovery.
“He is returning to school and slowly returning to a normal life which is amazing to see.”
