Blood cancer survivor meets the man who saved his life

Robert Morgan overcame cancer thanks to a lifesaving bone marrow donation from a complete stranger, Tom Heaven. The duo recently met for the first time to launch Welsh Blood Service’s #ChilledOutLifesaver campaign, urging more people to join the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry to help other patients in need.

Diagnosed in 2017 with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood cancer stopping the body from creating healthy cells, Robert took part in a clinical trial before being told his only chance of surviving was to receive a bone marrow transplant.

“It was a shock to hear the big word. The Big C. I went downhill quickly, became tired and struggled to work.” Robert from Aberbargoed said.

Fortunately, Robert was one of the seven in ten patients across the UK able to find a suitable bone marrow match, thanks to a complete stranger, 30-year-old Tom from Dinas Powys.

Ahead of meeting Tom for the first time, Robert shared: “Without that donor, without Tom, I wouldn’t be standing here now. It is so difficult to describe the thought of ‘I have a chance’.

“I didn't have a clue what to say. My first thoughts were should I shake his hand, or should I hug and kiss him?"

Robert Morgan - Bone marrow transplant recipient

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Tom joined the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry whilst giving blood with the Welsh Blood Service and is hoping his story will encourage more 17 to 30-year-olds to join.

Tom said: “When I first donated blood, it was an option on a form, and I ticked it and gave samples thinking that the chances of being matched were probably very slim. Two years later, I got the call to say I was potentially a match with a patient.”

To hear Robert’s side of the story, knowing that I've helped save someone's life and knowing they can obviously spend more time with their family, is a really, really good thing.

Tom Heaven - Bone marrow donor with the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry

Blood cancers stop the body’s bone marrow from producing healthy blood cells. Typically, the last treatment option for blood cancer patients following radiotherapy and chemotherapy is to receive a bone marrow transplant.

Head of the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Emma Cook, said: “The chances of being chosen as the perfect match for a patient anywhere in the world is extremely rare, but the opportunity to find a life-saving match increases as more donors sign up.

Each year, over 50,000 patients across the globe hope to find a suitable bone marrow match from an unrelated donor.

You could be the one and only person in the world who could be the match – which is why we need more people to sign up to the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry and increase a patient's chance of survival.

Emma Cook - Head of the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry

“It is easier than ever now to become a #ChilledOutLifesaver, as there are opportunities to register from home through a swab kit or by giving blood.”

There are two ways 17 to 30-year-olds can join the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, from home by requesting a swab kit or, like Tom, joining by giving blood with the Welsh Blood Service.

Robert ended by saying: “If it wasn’t for Tom, I wouldn’t be here. I would have missed out on so much, including meeting my great-granddaughter.

“Please consider joining the Registry if you can. It really can save someone’s life.”