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Sunday, 8 October 2006, 13:06 GMT 14:06 UK

Transplant brothers' charity walk

The Hartley's walk Two of four brothers who all have one of the world's rarest genetic disorders have made a six-mile charity walk.

Nathan Hartley, 12, and Daniel, 10, marked life-saving bone marrow transplants by making the walk along the River Test for the XLP trust.

The charity, set up by their parents, sponsors research on X-linked Lymphoproliferative Disease (XLP), which affects the boys from Romsey.

Only about 100 males have the immune system disorder worldwide.

Sufferers are not expected to live beyond their teens.

Allison and David Hartley were told in 2003 that their sons had the disorder and bone marrow transplants were the only cure.

"I've got plasters with me in case I get blisters"
Nathan Hartley, 12

Nathan Hartley After a campaign through the Anthony Nolan trust, matches where found to all four boys' bone marrow.

At the start of the walk, Nathan, who planned to raise £1,000, said: I'm feeling a bit nervous, but I'm very fit and I think I'll do well.

"I'm feeling fine about it because I've got plasters with me in case I get blisters."

The three eldest boys have all had transplants at Great Ormond Street hospital with Luke, six, due to undergo a transplant operation early next year.

'More caring attitude'

Joshua was unable to take part in the sponsored walk as he has joint problems following his transplant.

Mr Hartley, who said his sons have more caring attitudes because of their experience, said: "Our four sons have all found bone marrow donors but only about 30% of kids with XLP find that.

"We've set the charity up to fund research that will hopefully take us further along the lines to fund other cures.

"These two boys have done fantastically, the fact they're going to walk six miles after a bone marrow transplant shows the success you can have as a result of this treatment."

The boys walked along the River Test from Mottisfont to Romsey.




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Related to this story:
Transplant boy home for Christmas (23 Dec 05 |  Hampshire )
Third brother undergoes surgery (24 Oct 05 |  Hampshire )
Transplant father hopes for cure (13 Sep 05 |  Hampshire )
Transplant brother's charity walk (22 May 05 |  Hampshire )
Transplant brother marks birthday (22 Jan 05 |  Hampshire )
Transplant brother back to school (19 Jan 05 |  Hampshire )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Team Hartley
Anthony Nolan Trust
Primary Immunodeficiency Association
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