A TEEN cancer survivor had a surprise meeting with his anonymous stem cell donor as he rang the bell at the end of his treatment.
George Shaw, 15, was thrilled to see Kimmy Strelley, 38, for the first time — and thanked her for giving him “another chance to live”.
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The teen had a very rare, highly aggressive form of leukaemia which was resistant to standard chemotherapy.
It meant a stem cell transplant was his only option.
Even George’s twin brother Stephen was not suitable but Kimmy was found to be one of a small number of perfect matches worldwide.
She donated her stem cells via bone marrow in December 2021, allowing the lifesaving op to go ahead the next day at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
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George, from Nottingham, recalled: “You’re awake when you have the transplant, and I can remember a strong smell of sweetcorn.”
Donors and recipients must stay anonymous during treatment but can write, as Kimmy and George did.
Kimmy, a hairdresser from Flitton, Beds, was then overjoyed to meet George and his family as he rang the bell to mark the end of his treatment.
George said: “Life is so much better now, and it’s been brilliant to meet Kimmy today. She’s given me another chance to live and meant moments like today can happen.”
Kimmy, who was joined by her son Jake, said: “I was so excited to be given the chance to donate but I also felt a lot of responsibility because I really cared about helping the person I was donating to.
“I didn’t know it was George then but I really hoped it had worked and that he was OK.”
Kimmy, who signed up with stem cell charity Anthony Nolan, went on: “I always say that I’m only one piece in the puzzle of George’s recovery.
“Being here three years later, I just feel so proud of George.”
Being here three years later, I just feel so proud of George
Kimmy
George, who lives with mum Christine, dad Steven and brother Stephen, as well as their five dogs, is already back playing football. He also raised £1,600 for the hospital by abseiling off a bridge.
Dr Katharine Patrick, consultant paediatric haematologist, said: “Caring for patients like George is a huge privilege.
“He’s always been an absolute delight.
“There really are very few opportunities in life to save another person’s life but that is exactly what Kimmy’s done.”
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