Boy undergoes bone marrow transplant for brother suffering from leukaemia
TWO BRAVE brothers share a special bond after four-year-old Ollie Cripps yesterday underwent a bone marrow transplant with stem cells donated by his six-year-old sibling Finley.
Ollie Cripps (R) was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last June
Ollie, right, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last June, suffered a relapse in November, a month after finishing his course of chemotherapy.
When doctors told the family he would need to have a bone marrow transplant, Finley, left, was found to be a perfect match.
Ollie had the operation at The Royal Marsden’s Oak Centre for Children and Young People in Sutton, south London.
Their parents Fiona, 26, and Lee Cripps, 28, of Sittingbourne, Kent, who also have identical one-year-old twin daughters, said Finley has been unfazed by the fact that he could have saved his brother’s life.
Mrs Cripps said: “He was more excited about getting a week off school.”
Ollie's brother Finley (R) was found to be a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant
Finley wasn’t bothered. I don’t think he understands the severity of what he’s done. He’s never once turned around and said to us, ‘I don’t want to have an operation’
There was just a one-in-four chance that one of Ollie’s siblings would be a match, but all three were found to be.
As the eldest and because he was the same sex, Finley was chosen.
Mr Cripps said: “He wasn’t bothered. I don’t think he understands the severity of what he’s done. He’s never once turned around and said to us, ‘I don’t want to have an operation’.”
Finley, who shaved his head helping the family raise £3,000 for the hospital, did admit that it was “scary” to go under anaesthetic.
Doctors hope Ollie can go home in eight weeks.