Neil Morris, a 44-year-old living in England, felt indigestion in his neck and chest after cycling 100 km in November 2023. At first, Morris did not take this condition seriously, but as the symptoms persisted, he consulted a doctor. Tests revealed a blood clot in his chest and a “giant mass”. Further tests diagnosed Morris with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare cancer type that affects the normal production process of blood cells in the bone marrow. In the UK, only 765 people are diagnosed with this disease each year, and only one-fourth of those diagnosed in their 40s survive five years later. Morris’s treatment involved chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with a life-saving stem cell transplant provided by a donor from Germany.

A stem cell transplant involves replacing faulty cells with healthy ones, requiring the patient’s genetic markers to match the donor’s for success. Due to not having a sibling, finding a donor was a challenge for Morris. Fortunately, a woman’s stem cells from Germany were a perfect match, ensuring Morris’s survival. Neil Morris’s wife, Jenny, expressed gratitude, saying, “We are grateful to her. Words are inadequate to thank a stranger who saved his life.” The family never learned the donor’s identity, but they express their gratitude whenever they can. Jenny Morris called on potential donors to join the stem cell registry, saying, “It’s a very easy and simple process. Easier than a Covid test. Just fill out a form and request a swab kit.”

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia accounts for less than 1% of cancer diagnoses in the UK each year. Cases in adults are rare, with the disease primarily affecting children. Possible symptoms of this disease include fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, high fever, bruising, bleeding, bone pain, and stomach discomfort. Experts advise individuals experiencing such symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.