Family of seven-year-old appeals for donors

Jack Close has a rare genetic condition which could kill him.

He suffers from Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD) which is an inherited condition of the immune system which affects one in 250,000 people.

It means cells in his bone marrow can not fight off invading bacteria and fungi and makes Jack susceptible to serious infection.

He can't play like his friends and has to stay away from damp and dusty conditions.

Jack cannot play near lakes or rivers and cannot even enter playgrounds with damp bark chippings.

The schoolboy has two pet rabbits but is unable to clean out the straw in their hutch in case he catches an infection that could kill him.

Parents Bryce and Laura, of South Sherburn, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, were devastated when they were told their son had the rare disorder.

He was set to have an operation in July this year when a perfect match from a German donor was found, but unfortunately the donor had to pull out due to medical reasons.

Laura, a school dinner lady said: "We were first told he had this rare blood disorder and then he needed to find a bone marrow donor that was a perfect match.

"It was great news when we were told there was somebody out there who could help, but when we found out he had to pull out, we were devastated."

Jack takes a daily dose of medication to help him stay fit and his only hope of a long life would be a bone marrow transplant.

Jack's family are working with the Anthony Nolan Trust to find someone who can help.

With the charity's support, there will be a clinic on October 23 at St Barnabus Church Hall, Stirling Lane, Rowlands Gill, between 4pm and 8pm to try and find a potential donor.

Today Jack, a pupil at Rowlands Gill Primary School, pleaded for help to find a donor.

"I'm really sick of the medicine and I just want to get better," said Jack.

"I do feel quite special at the moment because everyone is talking about me but I hope someone will be able to give me their bone marrow soon."

His mum, Laura, said "When we got the call about the German donor last year, Jack was excited and we were over the moon. We thought Jack had the chance to get better and fight this.

"We got the phone call telling us there was a match on Friday 13th, and we thought it was a lucky day for us, but it turned out to be unlucky.

"Jack kept saying he was getting his bow and arrow, which is what he calls bone marrow, and everyone was happy again.

"But by September I hadn't heard anything so I phoned to see what was happening. It was then I was told that they had just heard that the person in Germany had pulled out because of medical reasons.

"We were totally devastated. Jack needs this bone marrow transplant while he is still well. He is doing fine at the moment but if he gets sick we need to find another donor so he can have his transplant before he gets sick.

"It would be great to give him the transplant over the winter so he can play out like other kids next summer, not worrying about picking up infections that could prove fatal.

"We are asking as many people as possible to come to the clinic and get a blood test to go on the Anthony Nolan Trust bone marrow register.

"It would be great if we found a match here in the region. We are sure there is someone out there who can help us," added Laura, who also has daughter Lyndsay, 12.

Jack was diagnosed in September last year after initially being referred to hospital by his GP in April. He had a swelling to the groin and had blood tests which pointed towards Chrones disease. However, a biopsy and further tests revealed he had CGD.

The disorder has been passed down through Laura but she is not affected by it.

Daughter Lyndsay is not a carrier but her bone marrow is not a match to her brother.

Bryce, 47, a taxi driver, said: "We thought we had a donor for Jack but now we have to start all over again. We hope to find a match so Jack can have his transplant.

"We want everyone to join in and join the Anthony Nolan register. It may be that we find someone who can help our precious son."

Laura added: "Jack is young and he doesn't quite know what is going on. He doesn't know the implications.

"He is just looking forward to being spoilt when he gets to hospital. We hope that time will be soon."

Nigel Gorvell, donor recruitment manager for the North East for the Anthony Nolan Trust, said: "The clinic that we are holding in Rowlands Gill on October 23 is in light of Jack's illness. We need people not only to help Jack but 7,000 other people who need bone marrow transplants across the UK.

"We need people to go on our register as donors. We hope to find a suitable match for Jack but to be a donor you need to be available to any one of our transplant patients.'' * To contact the Anthony Nolan Trust donor recruitment team call 020 7284 1234