Bone marrow boy back with family

Joshua is looking forward to being able to see his friends

A boy with one of the world's rarest genetic illnesses has enjoyed his first day back at home after a bone marrow transplant from his mother.

Allison Hartley was found to match Joshua, 12, who, along with his three brothers, has the potentially fatal X-linked lymphoproliferative disease.

Mrs Hartley, of Romsey, Hampshire, underwent a harvesting procedure of stem cells before Joshua's transplant.

Joshua said: "It's great to be home with my family."

'Great inspiration'

He underwent nine days of chemotherapy in isolation before the transfusion at Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London on 9 June.

Doctors say a bone marrow transplant is the only cure for his condition, also known as XLP.

His 41-year-old father, David said: "It's a huge day for the family to have Josh back home, to get the first one home well and on his way to recovery is what we have been dreaming of.

"It is great for the other boys to see him coming home, it is a great inspiration for them and it gives us great hope for the future."

Joshua added that he was looking forward to being able to see his friends again.

His return home was delayed after he a suffered a reaction to the chemotherapy and fell ill after contracting a bug.

Joshua's four brothers - Nathan, 10, Daniel, eight, and Luke, four - were all diagnosed along with Joshua with the extremely rare genetic XLP, also known as Duncan's Syndrome, in November last year.

Mr Hartley added that as well as helping Josh to recover, the family would now be helping to prepare Daniel for his transplant which was expected to take place in October - a potential match for him was found in April.

A possible match for Nathan and Luke was confirmed last month after donors were earlier found for their brothers.