Lincoln mum appealing for stem cell donor to save 16yo son's life
The family of Reece Khan are urging people to join the stem cell register
The family of a teenager from Lincoln are appealing for everyone to join the stem cell register in the hope of saving their son's life.
Reece Khan, who had been free of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) for 18 months, now faces intensive treatment after doctors gave him a one-in-five chance of survival.
Reece now requires stronger chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
His mother, Selina Niman, 51, a care worker, said the diagnosis has "broken" the family.
"We got a phone call on his 16th birthday to say unfortunately, the cancer's returned and it's in his brain," said Selina.
"We told him on his birthday, which was absolutely horrendous, just heartbroken as a family."
Now Reece's family want to raise awareness of the stem cell register and how easy it is to get tested.
"It's very,very simple. You just go on the Anthony Nolan website and sign up, they send you a simple swab test in the post like the old Covid test.
"If you don't hear anything, obviously you're not a match. But if you're a match for Reece then they would contact you and the procedure would go through them.
Finding a matching donor is more difficult because Reece is of mixed white and Asian heritage. His brother Kyle, 25, has been tested and is a half match.
The family is now working with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to search global registers for a full match.
"I'm also raising awareness for other people and for other children - if they need a stem cell, it could help other families as well," said Selina.