Best Christmas gift ever? A match has been found and the teenager’s now in remission for the big day.
Sixteen year-old Leo Spronson – who was diagnosed with leukaemia – is celebrating with his loving family from Bromsgrove having received the incredible news that his cancer is in remission and a donor has been found (10/12 match).
A donor drive took place for Leo back in November (Sunday the 23rd) at St Godwalds Church, Bromsgrove – asking the local community to attend and be swabbed to see if they are a match – and they sure did turn up for the superstar.
They managed to swab an amazing 718 people on the day and raised £4000 for the Blood Cancer Charity DKMS.
Leo’s aunty, Kate said: “We are so incredibly thankful for everyone who is on, or has registered with DKMS to join the stem cell register – you are literally saving lives😍”
An update on Leo’s Army Facebook page read: “Little Leo update. So since Mondays hospital visit to see the dr and we were told Leo is in remission, things have been really positive.”
“His bloods for instance have been really stable and ACTUALLY for the first time in a long time working as they should. For instance his platelets dropped from 42 to 26, that’s when we thought he will need another transfusion.”
“However on Thursdays nurse visit to home they had gone back up to 43 🫶🏻 so they have started to produce properly again which is fantastic x”
“I’ve had alot of questions asking if Leo is now “CURED” and the simple answer is NO.”
“Leo at present is in remission which is the best news!! (so drs can’t see any or can only see below 5% blasts of leukaemia – they were at 70% at diagnosis) however this does not mean cured or that it gets any easier from here x”
There is a 25% chance that the cancer will come back (stats on his age). And there never is really a cure. Unfortunately it’s a risk for the rest of Leo’s life. However “remission” is possible for the rest of his life also.”
“At home we have multiple nurse visits, blood tests, hes got that many medications / syringes and medical stuff in his rooms like a drug store lol and he’s hooked up to a feeding tube 17/20 hours of the day so alot still happening!”
“Leo will be having a transplant in the new year and we find out if we have found a match on 22nd Dec. Warren and I have both now been tested also.”
“The transplant is also a hard and long process. Me and Leo will be back In hospital for 6 weeks at least. He will be at his all time vunerable state an we will be isolated for that time x”
“From there once out we will attend weekly appointments for bloods. He will be under the care of the hospital very closely for 5 years PLUS!!!
“But thankfully all looking very positive 🙌🏻”
“He’s loving being back at home – back to a typical teenager, shouting and staying up late and sleeping in the day being up all night. And I can’t complain as the story could have been very different.”
“Thank you everyone for continuing to support us all through this journey. If anything we want to help spread awareness of how important it is to get registered with DKMS UK so please keep sharing and thank you from us all x”
Cllr Simon Morrall said: “Absolutely over the moon and made up for the family. Thanks again to the hundreds of people who turned up to the event to give a sample. This community will never cease to amaze me.”
You can keep up-to-date with Leo and his wonderful family by following Leo’s Army on Facebook.
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