The family of a “cheeky” three-year-old from Harrow, diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, are appealing for more people of Asian descent to sign up as stem cell donors. Working with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, the family want to diversify the stem cell register and give their little boy a fighting chance of finding the best possible donor.
Veer Gudhka is one of only a few hundred people in the UK to have inherited a life changing illness called Fanconi Anaemia which results in a decreased production of all types of blood cells.
He was diagnosed in August “by chance”, after a period of being very lethargic in December 2018, which led to the discovery that he had low blood platelets. Veer’s energy levels returned to normal in the new year. However, investigations continued, and in August he was diagnosed with the serious genetic disorder.
“The news came to us as a big shock. We were distraught” recalled Veer’s father, Nirav.
“We didn’t expect anything of that nature when we were called back in August. All of a sudden, our otherwise perfect little world was turned upside down.”
Veer Gudhka is one of only a few hundred people in the UK to have inherited a life changing illness called Fanconi Anaemia which results in a decreased production of all types of blood cells.
He was diagnosed in August “by chance”, after a period of being very lethargic in December 2018, which led to the discovery that he had low blood platelets. Veer’s energy levels returned to normal in the new year. However, investigations continued, and in August he was diagnosed with the serious genetic disorder.
“The news came to us as a big shock. We were distraught” recalled Veer’s father, Nirav.
“We didn’t expect anything of that nature when we were called back in August. All of a sudden, our otherwise perfect little world was turned upside down.”
Sarah Rogers, Regional Register Development Manager at Anthony Nolan, said: “Veer is a sweet and playful little boy who has touched hearts around the country through his family’s active social media campaign.
“He’s a bundle of energy and we want to keep him this way. A cure could be out there for him if his matching donor made the decision to join the stem cell register.
“Every single person who signs up to the register has the potential to give hope to someone like Veer in need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant. We urgently need more people from Asian backgrounds to sign up, to ensure we can find a match for everyone that needs one.
“Together, we can work towards a future where nobody is waiting for their match.”
Anthony Nolan recruits people aged 16-30 to the stem cell register as research has shown younger people are more likely to be chosen to donate.
They also carry out ground-breaking research to save more lives and provide information and support to patients after a stem cell transplant, through its clinical nurse specialists and psychologists, who help guide patients through their recovery.
It costs £40 to recruit each potential donor to the register, so Anthony Nolan relies on financial support.
Find out more at www.anthonynolan.org/HelpVeerNow
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