Third brother undergoes surgery

David Hartley with his sons Daniel, Luke and Nathan (right)

The third of four brothers diagnosed with a rare life-threatening disease has undergone a bone marrow transplant.

Nathan Hartley, 11, and his brothers Daniel, Joshua and Luke, from Romsey, Hants, suffer from the genetic disorder X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome.

Nathan had his transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Joshua, 13, had a transplant in June 2004, Daniel, nine, had his in November, while Luke, five, is scheduled to undergo surgery next year.

The boys' father, Mr David Hartley, said the exact date of Nathan's operation would not be revealed, to help keep the anonymity of the donor.

It has been a stressful time but we have always felt that all three boys have been in very good hands David Hartley

But, he added: "We have a wonderful mystery donor who has hopefully saved his life."

He said Nathan's white cell count had started to rise and added: "He is much, much better.

"It's still early days and he has a long way to go but we have noticed a vast improvement."

Joshua was also taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital at the beginning of October with a brain infection which caused some short term memory loss.

Mr Hartley said: "He seems to be getting better."

Daniel also fell off his skateboard and broke his wrist two weeks ago, but is now back at school.

'Stressful time'

Mr Hartley praised the medical teams looking after their sons.

"It has been very difficult because we have been up here (in Great Ormond Street Hospital) and we have just had to take it one day at a time and pray through it," he said.

"It has been a stressful time but we have always felt that all three boys have been in very good hands."

The brothers were diagnosed with X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, or Duncan's Syndrome, which attacks the immune system, in November 2003.

Their parents were told their sons were unlikely to reach their teenage years without a bone marrow transplant.

Joshua had his operation after his mother Allison was found to be a match. Donors for his brothers were found after a nationwide campaign.

The syndrome, is one of the world's rarest disorders, affecting about 100 families world-wide.