Success Story: Baby Leo

This comes after Leo was diagnosed with MECOM-Associated Syndrome, a rare disorder that stops the bone marrow from producing blood cells.

Born prematurely, Leo spent his first 18 days in the NICU after routine checks revealed that his platelet count (the number of blood cells that help the body form clots and stop bleeding) was dangerously low. The brave boy had to depended entirely on ongoing blood transfusions and his only chance at survival was a stem cell transplant.

With no match in sight, his family launched a public appeal earlier this year, sparking a wave of compassion that resulted in over 2900+ people registering as potential stem cell donors. Soon after that, against one-in-100,000 odds, a perfect match was found.

Now, 100 days after his transplant, baby Leo’s father, Andrew, reflects on the journey: “The process was long and agonising. Leo went through so much during chemotherapy and a 112-day hospital isolation period. This made every small milestone feel like a miracle: the first smile, the first bite of food, the first time he sat up again. Slowly, we started seeing our little boy return,” he shares.

“Passing the 100-day mark felt like crossing from fear into hope. Leo’s new stem cells are working, and he’s truly on his way to a full recovery.”

Today, Leo is home, wrapped in love, laughter, and the rhythms of everyday life.

While he still receives specialised monitoring, Leo’s story reminds us about the power of the decision to register, and its effect to help other patients get a second chance at life.

If you are between 17 - 55 and in good health, you can make a difference today. Register and help give patients a second chance at life.

Remember, all costs related to the donation process are taken care of by DKMS Africa.