{"id":158767,"date":"2025-09-21T07:45:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T07:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/158767\/"},"modified":"2025-09-21T07:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T07:45:09","slug":"mans-cell-donations-an-incredible-act-of-altruism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/158767\/","title":{"rendered":"Man’s cell donations ‘an incredible act of altruism’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 19-year-old man’s life-saving four cell and one bone marrow donations have been praised as “rare” and “an incredible act of altruism”.<\/p>\n

Thomas Rennie signed up to donate through the stem cell charity Anthony Nolan at the age of 17 following the loss of his friend Daniel to bone cancer in 2024.<\/p>\n

So far Thomas has made two full stem cell donations, one bone marrow and two lymphocyte – a type of white blood cell – donations, a feat described as “unprecedented” by Anthony Nolan.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the BBC, Thomas said: “Time is the best gift you can give anyone. Giving them my stem cells has meant they hopefully will have more time with their loved ones.”<\/p>\n

Thomas, a politics student at the University of Hull, added: “Giving for research means that hopefully more people will get more time and that’s what I hope for.”<\/p>\n

He made the first of three donations to the same recipient aged 18, one for research and one for another patient.<\/p>\n

According to Anthony Nolan, the chances of making one stem cell donation in five years as a young man is about one in 200.<\/p>\n

\"19-year-old<\/p>\n

Thomas signed up to the register at the age of 17 [Supplied]<\/p>\n

What are stem cells?<\/p>\n

According to the NHS, stem cells are special cells produced by bone marrow that can turn into different types of blood cells.<\/p>\n

A stem cell transplant involves replacing damaged or diseased blood cells with healthy stem cells.<\/p>\n

Patients who receive the cells have conditions including leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers or disorders.<\/p>\n

Anthony Nolan said any contact between a donor and patient depended on privacy regulations of the patient’s country, and was led by the patient.<\/p>\n

UK rules allow direct contact from two years since the last transplant, although some overseas registries may not allow contact until five years post-donation.<\/p>\n

According to international charity DKMS UK, young donors – aged between 17 and 25 – are more desirable as they provide patients with the best chance of survival.<\/p>\n

‘A bit bizarre’<\/p>\n

Thomas told the BBC he was further inspired to sign up after hearing a stem cell transplant success story.<\/p>\n

“One of my school governors came in and he’d had a bone marrow transplant, and he basically spoke about how people should sign up because it saved his life,” Thomas said.<\/p>\n

“It had given him his whole life back, so I thought, ‘that sounds like a fun thing to do’, so I went on their website and filled in my details and they sent a cheek swab.<\/p>\n

“It’s nice to know that I’ve hopefully given two people at least the chance to have a life, saved their life hopefully.”<\/p>\n

For his contributions, Thomas won the Donor Recognition Award at the annual Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards ceremony, held on 10 September.<\/p>\n

Of Thomas, the charity said: “This is the only donor we know of who has had this particular range of experience.<\/p>\n

“Thomas’s contribution has been unprecedented, and he is a great advocate for Anthony Nolan.”<\/p>\n

Thomas added: “It’s a bit bizarre really, because it doesn’t feel like I’ve done anything because I just sat in bed for a couple of hours while they took some of my cells and I watched Call the Midwife.”<\/p>\n

\"Thomas<\/p>\n

Thomas was given an award from the Anthony Nolan charity for his efforts [BBC]<\/p>\n

Talia Adams, the university officer at Anthony Nolan’s register development team, said: “As far as our teams are aware, to be doing five donations is the most that we’ve seen.<\/p>\n

“We have seen it where donors will donate for a second time for a patient, but that’s not always the case. To be found to be a potential match again is really rare.”<\/p>\n

Guy Parkes, head of stem cell donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Whilst we can’t verify whether Thomas’s five donations are a record, it must be close.<\/p>\n

“Making this number of donations is certainly rare and is an incredible act of altruism and life-saving action. He has shown incredible dedication.<\/p>\n

“We need more young men like Thomas to sign up to be potential stem cell<\/a> donors.”<\/p>\n

When asked what his late friend Daniel might think of his achievements, Thomas added: “He had a big heart and I’d like to think that he’d appreciate it.<\/p>\n

“No-one should have to live with cancer and if there’s a way to help someone, I’d like to think that I’m able to do that.”<\/p>\n

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, or on Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or via WhatsApp<\/a> on 0808 100 2210.<\/p>\n

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