19 February 2024 , 21:26
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A sister made a 4,000-mile trip to save her little brother’s life after the Mirror arranged his bone marrow transplant.
Jasper Makungu will have the op in Bangalore, India, after flying from his home in Zambia, southern Africa. He flew via Dubai with his sister Mercy, 16, after we teamed up with blood cancer charity DKMS.
Jasper, 11, has sickle cell disease. Mercy was found to be a perfect match for the operation which could save his life after months of tests. She said: “I am looking forward to my brother having a healthy life at last. It has been a long wait.”
Jasper, 10, with his mum Carol and his sisters, Mercy and Ruby (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)
Jasper pictured with his mum (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)The stem cell transplant will give Jasper a second chance of a healthy life. He was set to travel with Mercy last month, but suffered an episode which required hospital treatment. He left his homeland for the first time on Sunday with his mum Carol, 41, a teacher.
His dad, Jackson, said: “They are on their way. I thank the Mirror for coming into our lives.” Jasper’s transplant will take place at the BMJH-Sankalp Centre For Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
The boy's dad Jackson Makungu (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)It was founded in memory of Mechtild Harf, the wife of DKMS founder Peter Harf. Its experts have extensive experience in treating children with blood disorders.
Deborah Hyde, from DKMS UK, said: “This journey highlights global disparities in life-saving treatments. Without a stem cell transplant, children like Jasper will not survive childhood. Unfortunately, in countries like Zambia, it is not available.”