Grant’s Story

This is the story of grant’s stem cell donation from his wife jenny

Grant in hospital for his transplant, 2017

Grant had known there was something wrong for a few years when he was experiencing dizzy spells, shakes and fatigue. His doctor treated him for adrenal gland overload and haemochromatosis, however, after working one hot day, Grant felt like he had sun stroke. Our new GP sent him for some blood tests and soon after called to tell him to go straight to hospital. Grant had to have a bone marrow biopsy which led to a diagnosis of Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2015, which had a prognosis of 3-5 years to live. As part of the treatment for this he had to have regular blood transfusions, neutrophils and Vidaza. These treatments kept him well but were a short term fix. The following year Grant’s blood specialist on the Gold Coast sent him to Brisbane to see a specialist. The specialist opened our eyes to the possibility of a stem cell transplant. It was an incredible meeting of hope with the disclaimer ‘we don’t call it a cure until you die of something else’. 

The search began for a stem cell match. There was no match found in Australia so the search expanded internationally. In 2017 we got the call that there was a match in Germany and he was willing to donate his stem cells. The stem cells were flown to Brisbane at Christmas in 2017 – precision timing on the flight’s arrival and Grant’s preparation. 

We needed to stay near the hospital for 4 months and the Leukaemia Foundation kindly provided an apartment. A few months after receiving stem cells from the donor, whose blood type was A+ , Grant’s body started producing A+ blood. This meant the donor’s cells had engrafted. Grant now has all A+ blood. He was actually born with 0+ blood!

Grant on a beach walk in Gold Coast, Aus

Grant started walking after his transplant, from the car to the park bench and a few extra steps each day. Now he now averages 8-10 kms on daily beach walks. 

We have so many people to thank, especially his donor who made it all possible. I call donors superheroes, but the strength of the recipient of a stem cell transplant is something to behold. The transplant is tough but certainly worth it. I appeal to more people to join the donor registry to help patients find a donor in Australia, so that more lives and money are saved. I look forward to the day we have a large pool of potential donors here in Australia and we no longer need to fly stem cells in from around the world. 

Grant and his wife Jenny at Christmas, 2020