Bright future beckons for teenage cancer survivor from Swindon
Luke Hope has shared his story with Greatest Hits Radio, after receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant
Last updated 10th Feb 2021
A young man from Swindon has been sharing his story, after receiving a one in a million stem cell transplant that saved his life.
The day before his 18th birthday, Luke Hope was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia - a type of blood cancer that attacks white blood cells and the immune system.
After months of chemotherapy and successful recovery, he relapsed and lost his sight in one eye in February 2020.
Doctors then decided that the Apollo Motor Group apprentice had no option but a bone marrow transplant.
This involves bone marrow or blood cells being transferred from a donor to the patient.
Approximately one in a million people can give each patient the stem cells required, as they must share the same human leukocyte antigen - a genetic marker.
As Luke's sister was not deemed a suitable match, a global search got underway to find his so-called 'genetic twin'.
In October last year, the car fanatic received the stem cell transplant from a 46-year-old German. The donor's name and other details are currently anonymous, in accordance with worldwide health protocol.
'All I wanted to do was thank this German male with everything I've got'
We asked Luke what went through his mind, the day his life was saved: "At first I was worried about things going wrong. I was always (thinking) in the back of my mind: 'Don't get too excited, until it's happened'.
"Until it (the transplant) was inside me, I was very nervous.
"But as soon as the nurse said: 'We're finished' that was just brilliant.
"All I wanted to do was get hold of this German male and thank him with everything I've got".
Donation appeal
As Luke's journey developed, his Dad Paul Hope has continued urging people to join a stem cell register - potentially becoming a donor for someone else in need.
Following the family's campaign, over 7,000 residents across the UK and US have now signed-up with blood cancer charity DKMS.
Anyone considering joining the register can do so here, with more information about Luke's life available here.