When teenager, Shane Owen Firth found out he had a life-threatening illness and needed a bone marrow transplant to survive, he had no idea it would be his brave 3-year-old brother who would come to his rescue.
As reported in Britain’s Daily Mail, since he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia 12 months ago, Firth’s life has changed dramatically. With his bone marrow unable to produce new cells, the 13-year-old went from being a boisterous teen, with a love of soccer and sports to being practically housebound. After the whole family was tested for a bone marrow match, it was his 3-year-old brother Jaydon that was the best match.
And the little toddler didn’t hesitate once he was told the news, according to their grandmother Shirley Owen: “When we needed a match for the bone marrow his brother Justin, who was eight, was desperate to help but his match was not right,” she said adding: “Jaydon’s match was and he says he is helping make a new Shane, he is happy to be helping his big brother.”
Later this month, the brothers will begin the transplant process at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, which will hopefully give Shane a new lease of life. And as for little Jaydon, he’s happy with a new Playmobil toy to add to his collection. Said his doting grandmother: “He has got a toy every time he has been to hospital and this will be the same.” Deservedly so.
Photo by Chad McNeeley via Wikimedia Commons.