Father Steps Up to Save Son’s Life with Stem Cell Donation

A father from Bromsgrove is preparing to donate his stem cells to save his 16-year-old son, Leo Sproson, who is battling acute myeloid leukaemia. Leo’s initial donor match was identified following a public appeal by the *Mirror* just before Christmas. However, further testing is required for this donor, prompting Leo’s father, Warren Sproson, to step in as an alternative.

The urgency of Leo’s condition has led doctors to conclude that he cannot afford to wait for the original donor’s testing to be completed. Warren, aged 46, expressed his concern, stating, “His leukaemia is quite aggressive and there’s a very, very strong chance it will come back without some kind of donor stepping in.”

In November, a community blood donor drive attracted over 700 participants, leading to the discovery of the initial match. Warren recounted the moment they learned about the match, saying, “We were ecstatic.” Unfortunately, a delay was announced just days before the planned hospital admission for the transplant, as Leo’s mother, Jenna Elwell, received a call informing her of the need for additional tests on the donor.

Jenna, who has been by Leo’s side during his treatment at a hospital in Birmingham, emphasized the emotional toll the situation has taken on her son. “He understands that they’re trying to save his life,” she said. “It is hard for him as he is 16 and he cannot see his friends, he can’t play his games at home. But he has accepted it because he knows that they are doing everything they can for him.”

Leo’s medical team has indicated that a male-to-male donation is preferred, though both of his parents are partial matches. Warren noted the uncertainty surrounding his role in the transplant process, adding, “We don’t know whether they’re going to use me and then progress with the donor later on.”

Leo’s journey has been challenging; he went into liver failure shortly after his 12th birthday, which led to his leukaemia diagnosis four years later. Reflecting on the community support in the search for a donor, Warren stated, “It meant more than words can ever say.” He remains committed to doing everything possible to support his son through this ordeal.

Warren described Leo as “incredibly strong,” noting his resilience in the face of adversity. “He just rolls with everything,” he said. Despite the heartbreak of witnessing his child’s struggle, Warren expressed pride in Leo’s attitude. “The way he deals with everything, I’m really proud of him.”

Leo’s aunt, Kate Best, a fitness instructor also residing in Bromsgrove, shared the family’s desire to raise awareness about blood cancers and the critical need for stem cell donors. “We know his leukaemia is low after chemo. We cannot wait for his treatment; the longer you wait, the more likely it is to creep back,” she explained.

Blood cancers are a significant health concern, being the third most common cause of cancer death in the UK. Annually, nearly 13,000 people die from blood cancer, with approximately 2,000 individuals in need of a stem cell transplant at any given time.

In light of these statistics, the family hopes that raising awareness will encourage more people to consider becoming donors. The recent implementation of the opt-out organ donation scheme in England, known as ‘Max and Keira’s Law,’ highlights the importance of organ and stem cell donation. This law allows adults in England to be considered as organ donors unless they choose to opt out, potentially saving many lives.

For those interested in supporting the cause, a swab kit can be ordered from DKMS at dkms.org.uk. The Sproson family’s hope is that their story inspires others to join the fight against blood cancer and help children like Leo reclaim their lives.