«Breaking News» Bone marrow donor, 29, saves 10-year-old boy’s life, then weds the crush who inspired him to sign up

Billy Higgins only signed up as a bone marrow donor to impress his office crush.

Now his ploy has worked out better than anyone could have hoped – for not only did he marry the colleague in question, but he proved the ideal match for a boy with a rare blood disorder.

Without Mr Higgins’ help, Rupert Cross was at risk of leukaemia. Two years on, the ten-year-old has made a full recovery – and come face to face with the donor he calls his ‘superman’.

Without Mr Higgins’ help, Rupert Cross was at risk of leukaemia. In April 2016 he was diagnosed with myelodysplasia – a condition that makes bone marrow produce immature cells instead of red blood cells

Rupert, who is now back at school, said: ‘I feel very lucky ... I can’t believe someone would do this for me.’

Mr Higgins, 29, added: ‘I’m not really a believer in karma but it’s nice when things come together like this and everyone gets a happy ending.’

Mr Higgins had signed up with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan in 2011 after seeing Kate Willis, his colleague at investment bank MUFG, taking part in a recruitment drive for donors.

‘We’d spoken before but I saw the opportunity to get to know her a bit better. I thought joining the queue would put me in a good light,’ he said.

Billy Higgins only signed up as a bone marrow donor to impress his office crush. Now his ploy has worked out better than anyone could have hoped – for not only did he marry the colleague in question, but he proved the ideal match for a boy with a rare blood disorder

The gambit worked – and went on to provide vital help for Rupert after it emerged no family members were a match for a bone marrow transplant. 

He had fallen sick in 2014, and was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after a series of headaches. In April 2016 he was diagnosed with myelodysplasia – a condition that makes bone marrow produce immature cells instead of red blood cells.

The disorder, which normally affects the elderly, can lead to a life-threatening deterioration of the immune system. After it emerged his relatives could not help, Mr Higgins emerged as a suitable match. 

He was called in to make a donation, and Rupert received his transplant that same day in June 2016. Having needed chemotherapy before the procedure, Rupert then spent 88 days in isolation at the hospital after suffering complications. However, he has now recovered, and is back at school.

Two years on, the ten-year-old has made a full recovery – and come face to face with the donor he calls his ‘superman’. Rupert, who is now back at school, said: ‘I feel very lucky ... I can’t believe someone would do this for me'

Rupert’s parents Holly, 47, and Toby, 43, from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, emailed their thanks to the City trader after the minimum two-year wait for recipients to contact donors. 

He agreed to meet the family at a pub this month, where Mr Higgins revealed the good news of his own – his wedding to Kate, 31, with whom he lives in Basildon.

'They are a lovely couple and the story was magical,’ Mrs Cross said. ‘He only went into the queue because the girl he liked was there. If it wasn’t for Kate this wouldn’t have happened – and for them to get married ... the story is crazy.’ 

Mr Higgins said: ‘They’ve been through so much and I wasn’t fully aware of the impact you’re having on someone’s life when you donate. It was just so nice to have been able to help.’

Henny Braund, chief executive of Anthony Nolan, said Mr Higgins ‘can be incredibly proud of the difference he has made’.

Linkhienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/01/bone-marrow-donor-29-saves-10-year-old-boys-life-then-weds-the-crush-who-inspired-him-to-sign-up/
Main photo article Billy Higgins only signed up as a bone marrow donor to impress his office crush.
Now his ploy has worked out better than anyone could have hoped – for not only did he marry the colleague in question, but he proved the ideal match for a boy with a rare blood disorder.
Without Mr Higgins’ help, Rup...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





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