So, our Ben, the boy who loves Lego and Steam trains and Guardians of the Galaxy; Minecraft, researching film theories; the boy who loves making us all laugh with his Star Wars jokes, or snuggling up with the woofers and cats at home, the brother who adores his two sisters to the ends of the earth (even though he wouldn’t tell them openly!) and loves a tickle fight at the end of the day; the boy who has plans to be a journalist, Lego designer or to write and direct his own movies, needs a bone marrow transplant.
Today, we received the news that neither myself, James, Ella or Rose are a match for our Beeps. He’s ten years old and is already coping with so much that no parent would ever wish their child to go through.
This is not the sort of journey in life you ever imagine you’ll be taking, but suddenly, without warning, you’re in it and living it. Our Ben, our Ella and our Rose are our world.
The fabulous team here at Piam Brown are already on the case, looking at the National Register, then they’ll go to the European Register and beyond and we may hear of a potential match in as little as a week’s time.
In the meantime, James and I have decided to do what we can from our side to find that special someone.
And so, I’m making this appeal directly to you, the person who is reading this right now. If you are not yet on the bone marrow register and you are fit and healthy, please don’t hesitate and sign up to either:
or
It’s just a mouth swab, then a blood test if you look like a potential match.
I’m the first to talk about random acts of kindness and how much it makes a difference. It turns out, this random act of kindness could save a life, maybe our Ben’s or someone else who really needs it, too.
Are you our magical match?
I’m going to say thank you on behalf of our family, as I’m imagining he’s already cured and we are so grateful.
Oh Ginny…. I am sorry to hear that none of you are a match. I would be more then willing to myself forwarded .
Hi Ginny & James, I’m so sorry to hear this. I will look into this to register. Also what about all your extended family members, I imagine they will have registered too, and being same family, maybe a good chance one of them a match. I hope you find a match very soon. I’m sure you will.
xxxxxxxxxx
Oh Ginny and James, I know this was not the news you were wanting, stay strong there will be a completely epic match out there amongst us and I hope it is identified quickly to take this uncertainty out of the journey for you! Thinking of you all and big hugs xxxxx
So sorry none of you are a match, I’ll keep my fingers crossed they find a perfect match soon. I’ve just looked and unfortunately I can’t be a donor due to my pain condition ?
Swab kits are on their way to us Ginny. Fingers firmly crossed and lashing of LEGO-built luck from all of us
Matthew, Scarlet and Austin
Shared with love ?
Do you have any idea of the match he needs .. does it have to be a certain blood type for example?
Hi Lucy, my understanding is it’s a more complex match than it is for blood donation. This article gives an overview, although I think they now use 10 markers as the basis of the match rather than 6? https://bethematch.org/transplant-basics/matching-patients-with-donors/how-donors-and-patients-are-matched/