Joy as Brazilian stem cell donor match found for 'Fabulous Finn'
A stem cell donor match has been found for schoolboy "Fabulous Finn" – in the form of a 43-year-old man from Brazil.
Seven-year-old Finley Hill from Belbroughton was diagnosed with rare immune system disorder familial HLH, which causes damaged and enlarged organs. Without stem cell treatment he will die.
But this week his overjoyed mother Jo Hill announced the "brilliant" news that had come just as Finley started a new term at Hagley Primary School after the summer holidays.
After searching the world for a successful match, a match had come back from Brazil.
Jo said: "A nationwide panel of experts have decided on a 9/10 match for Finn, a Brazilian 43-year-old man will hopefully help save our boy's life.
"They searched the world twice and we had five matches in Brazil, all 9/10.
"They really wanted a 10/10 but have decided it’s better to go with a 9 while he is doing well than risk waiting for a 10 that may never come.
"So on the November 11 he will be admitted for chemotherapy before going to transplant on November 18.
'Happy future'
"We’re pleased to finally have a match and a plan but both petrified about the whole process.
"However we have to believe that this is going to be the beginning of getting Finn better and securing him a bright and happy future."
Finn, who is nicknamed Finn the Fabulous, has his own social media page run by his family, and his story has been followed by thousands of people.
His family have been searching far and wide for a match for the youngster, but so far have been unsuccessful.
They also work tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition and hold events to get people to register to be donors.
His mother Jo added: "Thank you to everyone who has supported us this far in every way possible, it’s really only just the beginning."
In November Finn will be admitted for chemo before having a transport one week later. He will then be placed in isolation for a month.
But his family hope he will be home for Christmas.
Only two per cent of people in the UK are on the stem cell register and the fact that Finley has a rare tissue type makes finding a donor even harder.
For more details, visit the UK Stem Cell Register via dkms.org.uk or anthonynolan.org
