The parents of a two-year-old boy told today of their struggle to find a bone marrow donor to save their son from leukaemia.
Gaurav Bains was diagnosed with Monosomy 7 — a rare disease that suppresses the immune system — after getting chest infections.
Parents Gurprit and Sunny have been told he must have a bone marrow transplant or face developing aggressive leukaemia within two years of his diagnosis in June. Doctors say he should have the procedure in mid-December to have the best chance of success.
But there is a shortage of Asian donors and the family has been unable to find a match. Only four per cent of people on the stem cell register have the characteristics of an Asian background. The couple, their daughter Kiran, four, and other relatives are incompatible.
Today they urged Londoners to come forward. On Sunday, Delete Blood Cancer UK and the Jaskomal Foundation will hold an event in Southall to find donors. Mr Bains, 31, a shop owner from Tipton, said: “Because Gaurav’s immune system is weak, we can’t take him out because he’ll be very likely to get ill. Without a transplant he’ll get leukaemia. Any parent would be scared. You feel helpless.”
Potential donors, aged 17 to 55, will give a saliva sample. To donate stem cells requires a process similar to giving blood. The event is at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Havelock Road, Southall, on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
