Christmas joy for boy after stem cell transplant

Gunner has been enjoying the lead-up to Christmas with his big sister, Daisy

A five year-old boy with a life-limiting metabolic disorder is celebrating Christmas, after a vital stem cell transplant.

In 2021, Gunner from Highley, Shropshire, was diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Hurler Syndrome, which stops his body breaking down sugar.

He was given one-to-two years to live without a transplant, but received one in January using stem cells from an umbilical cord that was donated to the NHS 15 years ago.

After six months of isolation, Gunner is now spending Christmas with his family, and even turned on his village's festive lights with his older sister, Daisy.

"We had a really difficult first half of the year, when Gunner had to isolate after the stem cell transplant.

"But we're now really beginning to see the difference it has made and are enjoying celebrating Christmas all together," said his mum, Holly.

"We're spending Christmas Day with my dad and sister and are excited to create memories together as a family."

Gunner had the transplant in January, and had to isolate for months

"We are so grateful to the mother who chose to donate her child's umbilical cord all of those years ago – without them, Gunner wouldn't have been able to have his stem cell transplant and things would look very different for us this Christmas."

Holly also urged people to register as a stem cell donor, if they were able to.

"It really does make a huge difference to the people who need a stem cell transplant – and their families, too," she added.

Gunner has had several treatments, including enzyme infusions, and a previous stem cell transplant, which failed.

The second transplant is aimed at extending and giving him a better quality of life.