Man's cell donations 'an incredible act of altruism'

Thomas Rennie has made four stem cell donations and one bone marrow donation

A 19-year-old man's life-saving four cell and one bone marrow donations have been praised as "rare" and "an incredible act of altruism".

Thomas Rennie signed up to donate through the stem cell charity Anthony Nolan at the age of 17 following the loss of his friend Daniel to bone cancer in 2024.

So far Thomas has made two full stem cell donations, one bone marrow and two lymphocyte - a type of white blood cell - donations, a feat described as "unprecedented" by Anthony Nolan.

Speaking to the BBC, Thomas said: "Time is the best gift you can give anyone. Giving them my stem cells has meant they hopefully will have more time with their loved ones."

Thomas, a politics student at the University of Hull, added: "Giving for research means that hopefully more people will get more time and that's what I hope for."

He made the first of three donations to the same recipient aged 18, one for research and one for another patient.

According to Anthony Nolan, the chances of making one stem cell donation in five years as a young man is about one in 200.

Thomas signed up to the register at the age of 17

What are stem cells?

According to the NHS, stem cells are special cells produced by bone marrow that can turn into different types of blood cells.

A stem cell transplant involves replacing damaged or diseased blood cells with healthy stem cells.

Patients who receive the cells have conditions including leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers or disorders.

Anthony Nolan said any contact between a donor and patient depended on privacy regulations of the patient's country, and was led by the patient.

UK rules allow direct contact from two years since the last transplant, although some overseas registries may not allow contact until five years post-donation.

According to international charity DKMS UK, young donors - aged between 17 and 25 - are more desirable as they provide patients with the best chance of survival.

'A bit bizarre'

Thomas told the BBC he was further inspired to sign up after hearing a stem cell transplant success story.

"One of my school governors came in and he'd had a bone marrow transplant, and he basically spoke about how people should sign up because it saved his life," Thomas said.

"It had given him his whole life back, so I thought, 'that sounds like a fun thing to do', so I went on their website and filled in my details and they sent a cheek swab.

"It's nice to know that I've hopefully given two people at least the chance to have a life, saved their life hopefully."

For his contributions, Thomas won the Donor Recognition Award at the annual Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards ceremony, held on 10 September.

Of Thomas, the charity said: "This is the only donor we know of who has had this particular range of experience.

"Thomas's contribution has been unprecedented, and he is a great advocate for Anthony Nolan."

Thomas added: "It's a bit bizarre really, because it doesn't feel like I've done anything because I just sat in bed for a couple of hours while they took some of my cells and I watched Call the Midwife."

Thomas was given an award from the Anthony Nolan charity for his efforts

Talia Adams, the university officer at Anthony Nolan's register development team, said: "As far as our teams are aware, to be doing five donations is the most that we've seen.

"We have seen it where donors will donate for a second time for a patient, but that's not always the case. To be found to be a potential match again is really rare."

Guy Parkes, head of stem cell donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "Whilst we can't verify whether Thomas's five donations are a record, it must be close.

"Making this number of donations is certainly rare and is an incredible act of altruism and life-saving action. He has shown incredible dedication.

"We need more young men like Thomas to sign up to be potential stem cell donors."

When asked what his late friend Daniel might think of his achievements, Thomas added: "He had a big heart and I'd like to think that he'd appreciate it.

"No-one should have to live with cancer and if there's a way to help someone, I'd like to think that I'm able to do that."