Latest news with #WelshBloodService
Wales Online
15-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Little boy 'was on 50 bottles of antibiotics' then his family got the best news ever about his dad
Little boy 'was on 50 bottles of antibiotics' then his family got the best news ever about his dad Jasper had an extremely rare condition and there was only a small chance his family might be able to help him Jasper is the only child in Wales with his particular condition (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) New Swansea parents Sophie and Matt Hodgson-Smith were at a loss when their son Jasper started experiencing health problems when he was merely eight months old. Even after several tests and being prescribed over 50 bottles of antibiotics, Jasper's symptoms did not improve, leaving his parents worried. That was until a rare diagnosis was reached years later and Matt was finally able to save his son's life. When he was seven years old, Jasper was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening condition called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS) that impairs a person's immune system, leaving them more susceptible to infections. Though the family had finally found an answer as to what was wrong with him, the road to being diagnosed was not easy. Jasper, with father Matt, and mother Sophie (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) 'Jasper started feeling unwell from eight months old and that was the first time that he had to have antibiotics due to a chest infection,' said Sophie. 'From then onwards, he had several lots of chest infections along with lots of hospital admissions… like up to six times a year Article continues below 'Before the age of six he was on 50 bottles of antibiotics… that's more than I have had during my lifetime.' Jasper showed a multitude of symptoms like lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here The experience was especially hard for Sophie and Matt, who were first time parents but the support they received from Singleton was crucial in determining what was wrong with Jasper's health. 'Being a first-time mum, it is hard to define what is normal and what's not,' said Sophie. 'His consultant in Singleton was really good. She had tried every avenue possible, she was a respiratory consultant, and we just pushed for all the tests.' These were what led to the eventual diagnosis. 'He had the children immunizations booster and his body hadn't made any reaction to the booster,' said Sophie. 'So that had alerted that something was incorrect within the blood, so that pushed them for genetic testing.' Jasper's condition is so rare that he is the only known child in Wales to be affected with it, while there are only 35 patients across the UK. The rarity of the condition is what made it hard for Jasper to be diagnosed, and though he had started showing symptoms when he was a baby, it wasn't until he turned seven that he was diagnosed. Only one in four APDS patients in UK find a donor within their family, Jasper was one of those (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) 'We knew that was something that wasn't correct,' said Sophie. 'We had tried lysis through fibrosis and all the other little things, but genetic testing isn't something that is widely done. 'His condition, APDS, was only found about 13 years ago, so it's still quite new and, it's quite rare, so I think there's lots of rare blood disorders.. and it's quite difficult to narrow it down.' Though the couple were relieved to finally have answers, there was still a long way to go for Jasper. 'It's good to get an answer. They tried to say that he had bronchiectasis and at the time of being told that, I knew that it wasn't the end,' Sophie said. 'You don't have bronchiectasis from nothing. So being told then that he has APDS was quite daunting. 'We walked into a room and it was, I think, six to eight people with professors and nurses and it was just the thought and process, like 'why are you here, and what are you going to tell me?'' For those who are affected by APDS, especially young patients, a stem cell transplantation gives a chance to cure the genetic defect. It works by replacing the abnormal immune cells with healthy ones. 'To be honest, I was quite thankful that he had a diagnosis, but then they started talking about the bone marrow transplant,' said Sophie. 'That alone…you end up researching everything and it gets quite difficult to comprehend what is going to be coming ahead.' Jasper went on medication after his diagnosis for a year, but Sophie and Matt knew that a bone marrow transplant was the only cure. His treatment consisted of recieving several blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, and chemotherapy to prepare his body for a stem cell transplant. However, the next big hurdle was finding a donor to match Jasper. The condition is so rare that only one in four patients in the UK are able to find a match from a family member. Fortunately for the family, Jasper's father, Matt was identified as suitable match, and the family couldn't have been happier. Matt was able to save his son's life with a "simple" procedure (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) 'We were over the moon. We were told that… it should be easy to find a match when actually, it wasn't,' Sophie said. 'We had two people who were on the worldwide register who unfortunately couldn't be a match because it wasn't 100%, so they were unable to use, which led us to no-one. 'We then had Matt's results back and that was just a huge relief. I didn't realise how little a family member is found, I've only recently found out that only one in four family members are a match. 'So we were quite lucky because when you get told if the dad, or if they've got siblings are not a match, you can be on that register for years or you don't find one at all.' The couple want to dispel some of the misconceptions about donating blood and stem cells, telling people that the process is much easier than people expect. "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience," Matt said. 'Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. For me, the process was simple. I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life.' Explaining more about the process, Sophie said: 'We were so thankful that Matt, his dad, could be a match and it made the process just a bit easier. Jasper, being seven, he got to see his dad have the injections. 'While we were up there five days prior to the transplant, Matt had two injections for five days. He felt like he was doing something for his child and he said he would happily do it again for anyone else. 'It was such an easy process. Something that people, again, have the wrong interpretation, they assume that they're going to be drugged with the hip bone when actually it's not. He was just put up to a machine. Five days later, it was all drained out of him, ready for Jasper.' Though his parents had the answers they sought, Jasper still had a long way to go (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) However, for Jasper, who is merely seven years old, the treatment will take time and several hospital vists. 'The whole treatment is around two years, so it's not something that happens overnight and I think that's what people forget,' Sophie said. 'People assume, oh you've had it and that's it. So we were up in Newcastle for five months and within that period Jasper was really poorly because obviously he had the chemotherapy so he was quite sick and then afterwards he's still on a restricted food diet. 'He's still on bed isolation so he can't mingle with family and friends, he can't go to school until next January, he can't go out. 'He really wants fish and chips and he can't have anything that food wise is prepared by anyone else apart from us as a family. So he's better in himself, but we've still got a long road ahead in terms of instructions.' Even during the treatment, Jasper has felt sick and had to be hospitalised. 'The whole transplant when you're in… he was in the hospital for seven weeks. Then you think that's the end, you think, oh, you've got to the halfway house, but it wasn't,' said Sophie. 'Four days later, unfortunately, he got readmitted. 'When we were there for the seven weeks, it was a controlled illness, is how I like to explain it. It was controlled, although he had chemo, we knew what was going on. 'When he was readmitted, it was really scary. He had 40C temperatures for two weeks and we didn't know what was going on. So that was hard because obviously he started losing weight, he was just lethargic, not really engaging much and no one can give us any answers.' Jasper with his parents in Newcastle (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) Due to Jasper's condition being so rare, there are only two places across the UK, that can do the transplant, one being Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London and the other being the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle, which is where Jasper was. 'We had to spend a long time away from home. Five months away from friends and family and our surroundings was really hard but the support that we had was amazing,' Sophie said. 'I couldn't thank his friends in the school, the mums, my family, Matt's family and all our friends, they were just so supportive. 'We had support from three lovely charities in particular, they were really small, one called Louie's Trust, another called Joseph's Smile, and another called Morgan's Army, and unfortunately all three of those charities had lost their little boys. So that was really heartfelt. 'In terms of the NHS, between England and Wales, they work quite closely together. The consultant from Newcastle travels down to Cardiff I think like four times a year, so we will see him quite regularly. We don't have to go back up to Newcastle.' Sophie is grateful to the staff at hospitals during Jasper's many hospital visits (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) But treatment has not been without impact for Jasper. 'Just before he turned six, that was the time that he started questioning 'Why me?', 'Why am I going to hospital?', 'Why I am missing out on school?', because he wasn't in school for quite a long period of time. 'Once he got told about the transplant, although he's seven, he's got like an old man's head. He's quite wise for his age. He understood it was six months, trying to learn this is going to be the cure…without telling him the complications, he took it on quite well. 'In the six months leading up to it, he knew that he had to be cautious in terms of hygiene and he's been really good throughout it all to be honest.' Because of her own experience of not knowing what was wrong with her son, Sophie reiterated that she wanted people to realise the importance of blood donation. 'I think I struggled as a first-time mum. I was like 25 years old, I didn't know what was right and wrong, although I felt mother's instinct that something wasn't right, it took us a long time to get a diagnosis,' Sophie said. 'I just wanted to make people aware that being on 50 antibiotics before you turn six, it's not normal. So I wanted to share his story and so, just to make people aware. "Although we were lucky to find a stem cell match through dad, he had platelets while he was up there, and he had blood transfusions, all thanks to the help of others. If it wasn't for them donating then he would struggle and we don't know where we'd be today.' Jasper and his parents are looking forward to the day they can go on adventures with their dog Pip (Image: Welsh Blood Service ) Jasper is now happy to be home, and is expected to start school by January. Once he is fit and well, the family are looking forward to beach walks and more adventures with their dog, Pip. Welsh Blood Service Director, Alan Prosser added: 'Sharing stories like Jasper's highlights the true value of donation and the difference it makes to patients and their families. "Jasper found a stem cell match within his family, but for most patients, their only hope to receive a stem cell transplant is from an unknown donor. 'We are busy recruiting more people to become blood donors and to join our stem cell registry and this National Blood Donor Week, there has never been a better time to sign up and join our incredible community of lifesavers here in Wales." If you want to learn more about donating blood, platelets or stem cells, you can do so by clicking here or calling 0800 252 266. Article continues below
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. READ MORE: Flintshire and Wrexham's best pubs and bars to take dad to on Father's Day Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available in Mold on June 9, Bangor on June 10, and Llandudno on June 13, with further dates available across the region. To find out more about donating blood, platelets, or stem cells, visit or call 0800 252 266.
Pembrokeshire Herald
29-04-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
NHS Wales to be strengthened following independent review
If the thought of giving blood turns on your red light with a vengeance, spare a thought for the 5,000 people in the UK who are needing it every single day of the year. Yet despite this alarming statistic, only three per cent of the population are donors. This week The Herald visited Pill Social Club in Milford Haven to meet up with local blood donors and members of the Welsh Blood Service to find out just how important giving blood is. 'It's wonderful to see people coming back to our centres, year upon year, continuing to give blood,' said Sharon Burgess, who is the clinical lead for the Welsh Blood Service's West team which stretches from Swansea to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and northwards to Aberystwyth. 'We even have people in their 80's who are continuing to give blood which is quite remarkable, but it's also very encouraging to see an increasing number of younger people coming forward to donate.' Rod Williams (pictured top left), who is himself an employee with the Welsh Blood Service, has now reached his 67th blood donation. 'But I'm still lagging behind my best man, whose donations are now up in the 80s,' he joked. # 'I gave my very first donation when I was a 19-year-old student because the standing joke at the time was that if you gave blood, then you'd get drunk that much quicker when you reached the pub.' And four decades on, Rod continues to give blood on a regular basis. Waiting in the blood-giving queue was husband and wife duo Chris and Sue Hirdle who have both been donating for the past 20 years. 'It all started with me being in the army, so I didn't have any option and had to give blood,' explained Chris. 'But when Sue kept seeing me going off to donate, she decided to start giving blood too. And we've both carried on ever since. 'It's such an easy thing to do, and everyone here at the Pill Social Club is so friendly, plus we get tea and biscuits when it's all over.' Once donors have registered, they are asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire before being screened by the Welsh Blood Service team. 'This is merely to find out whether any illnesses or health conditions prevent them from giving blood, such as having had a stroke or a heart attack in the past or a previous blood donation,' explained Sharon Burgess. They are also given a finger-prick haemoglobin test to assess their iron content. Once the team is happy, the donors can then give their blood, which usually totals 475 ml. People can start giving blood at 17 years of age; men are allowed to give blood four times a year while women can give three times a year. In addition to blood, donors between the age of 17 and 30 can also join the bone marrow registry for stem cell matches. 'It really is fantastic to see people giving of their time and donating blood but when you consider the very small percentage of the British population that donate, it's important that more people come forward, particularly younger people,' concluded Sharon. 'We've started going around sixth form schools and colleges, trying to raise awareness because the more people that understand the good that they're doing with their donations, the better.' Further blood donation sessions will be taking place at The Pavilion, Haverfordwest on May 8, Letterston Village Hall, May 19, Pattern Hall, Pembroke Dock, May 23 and Canolfan Hermon, May 28. It's advisable to book an appointment beforehand via the Welsh Blood Service website on
