Boy finds rare bone marrow match

The operation will take place at Bristol Children's Hospital

A nine-year-old schoolboy desperately in need of a new bone marrow is to undergo surgery after beating odds of six-million-to-one of finding a donor.

Doctors had been searching worldwide for a year to find a compatible donor for Nick Toomey - but feared their bid to save him had failed.

But just as they were giving up hope of finding a matching organ, a German donor turned out to be a perfect match.

It just goes to show you should never give up even when everything seems to be against you

Amanda Edwards, mother

Now Nick, of Llantwit Fardre, south Wales, is to undergo surgery to give him a 50% chance of survival.

He was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia last May.

The rare condition stops his bone marrow producing blood cells.

The disease could have been fatal for Nick if surgery had not taken place and doctors predicted he would deteriorate within two years.

Experts at Bristol Children's Hospital - where Nick is to have the transplant - were hours away from transplanting imperfect cells when the match was found.

His mother Amanda Edwards said: "For that German man to walk in and get himself tested exactly was a miracle.

"I couldn't speak. I was bouncing with joy after all we've been through.

'Never give up'

"The news of the perfect match came on the day he was supposed to try a 90% match from an Italian donor which would have increased the chances of rejection.

"It just goes to show you should never give up even when everything seems to be against you.

"The doctors looked all over the world but his tissue was so rare they warned us it was unlikely they'd ever find a match.

"This transplant is his very best chance of a normal life."

Nick said: "I'm looking forward to being really well again."