Stemcell medical history made in Westward Ho!

By ksmith

A WESTWARD HO! grandmother has made medical history by donating stem cells which saved her brother's life.

At 74, Erica Henderson was beyond the age usually permitted for such a transplant, but was found to be a perfect match for her younger brother, Paul Hallowes who was suffering from leukaemia.

The transfer took place at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London in October and two weeks ago Paul, 68, was told he is now in remission.

Erica said: "It was almost a year ago when Paul was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"At the time we were in America visiting our daughter. Paul needed a transplant and the best people are brothers and sisters.

"My younger brother and sister were both tested but were not suitable.

"They looked around the country but there was no match so they were considering going overseas which gets much more difficult.

"Paul had been given two years to live."

Erica returned home to Westward Ho! on a Friday and by the following Monday was up in London undergoing extensive tests and interviews which she described as a "bit like a thorough MOT".

She said: "They were very stringent tests. I was 74 and they had not tested anyone of that age before. My brother was 68 and they don't usually consider people over the age of 70.

"I had to wait about two weeks for the results to come through and then had a phone call from the hospital — they said they were delighted to tell me that I was a match.

"I rang my brother immediately and he was absolutely thrilled.

"He was very ill and in hospital most of the time."

Erica had to undergo four days of injections prior to the transplant to boost her stem cells which would be used to replace her brother's cancerous cells that had been destroyed through chemotherapy.

Erica said: "I went into hospital and had to lie on a bed for four hours.

"I was hooked up to machines with needles in both arms and not allowed to move.

"They took blood out of my left arm and I saw it going into the machine.

"The stem cells then went into a bag and my blood went back into my other arm - it was incredible and I was not in any pain or discomfort."

The cells were taken away, checked and stored and Erica repeated the process again the next day to ensure there were enough.

Erica said: "That afternoon they were tested, we were told they were good and were given to my brother.

"He had been extremely ill for a long time but we have just been told he is in remission which is amazing.

"I have saved his life — it is wonderful.

"The doctors at the Royal Marsden were delighted and said we have made medical history because of our ages. I am just thrilled.

"If you love someone very much, you will do whatever you can. There was never any doubt in my mind.

"Medicine now is amazing and the whole stem cell thing is wonderful. My brother's blood type has changed as a result and he now has my blood type.

"It is a miracle and I am very impressed with the National Health Service.

"Paul goes back to the hospital once a month and will not be totally out of the woods until November. But, he is in remission and that is great."