Life saver: medical student donates bone marrow

One of our medical students has heroically donated bone marrow to a two-year-old boy who he will never meet.

Dr Chris Carson, who signed up to the Anthony Nolan register 10 years ago, received a call from the charity asking if he could help a child in desperate need of a transplant. 

Chris agreed, and was given hormone injections to increase his bone marrow – a painful experience - before travelling to London to have the extra cells removed from his body and passed to the patient.

Although the child’s identity will remain confidential, Chris received a letter from the boy’s parents shortly after the procedure. They thanked Chris and told him their son was doing well.

Chris, 28, who is an undergraduate in the University’s School of Medicine, will not be able to donate bone marrow again for the next two years in case the patient he helped needs more.

He has also inspired friends to sign up and take part in runs to raise money for the charity.

Chris' story was covered by the Leicester Mercury last week.