Northern Ireland

Help save my son, pleads Co Armagh dad

Bobby Browne (8) from Bessbrook in Co Armagh was diagnosed with leukaemia last year
Bobby Browne (8) from Bessbrook in Co Armagh was diagnosed with leukaemia last year Bobby Browne (8) from Bessbrook in Co Armagh was diagnosed with leukaemia last year

A CO Armagh father has pleaded for a "hero" to step up to save his young son's life by registering to become a bone marrow donor.

Danny Browne said his family have been living an "absolute nightmare" for the past 13 months after his eight-year-old son Bobby fell ill.

Having developed a lump on his neck in February 2022, the school boy was diagnosed with glandular fever.

However, when he began losing weight, was sore to touch and had trouble walking, his family fought for 10 weeks for their son to be re-examined and a biopsy carried out.

In May, the Bessbrook family were given the devastating news that their young child had leukaemia.

The youngster was admitted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and immediately began chemotherapy which failed to work. Months later, he was put on a more aggressive form of chemotherapy however this also failed to work.

In November, Bobby and his family travelled to Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne where he underwent CAR-T, an innovative new cell therapy treatment. A type of immunotherapy, the treatment saw Bobby's own immune cells collected and sent to a lab where they were rebuilt and `trained' to fight the cancer cells. Bobby then received the CAR-T blood. He had to remain in hospital in England for two months.

Danny Browne, who is pictured with his wife, Louise, has appealed for people to register to become a bone marrow donor in the hope they can help his son, Bobby (8), who has leukaemia
Danny Browne, who is pictured with his wife, Louise, has appealed for people to register to become a bone marrow donor in the hope they can help his son, Bobby (8), who has leukaemia Danny Browne, who is pictured with his wife, Louise, has appealed for people to register to become a bone marrow donor in the hope they can help his son, Bobby (8), who has leukaemia

In February, blood tests revealed the treatment was working and Bobby went into remission. However, just two weeks ago, it was found the treatment had left his body and thus, if he relapses, doctors will struggle to get the leukaemia out of his body. Now, his family have said a bone marrow transplant is his only hope.

Danny and Louise Browne have appealed for people to sign up to register to be a bone marrow donor as it could save their son's life.

"We just need to get a perfect match," said Mr Browne.

"If they sign up they get a pack out and you take a wee swab of the inner mouth. They send that back and if you are a match, you get a call."

Eight-year-old Bobby Browne has been described as "loving, caring and thoughtful"
Eight-year-old Bobby Browne has been described as "loving, caring and thoughtful" Eight-year-old Bobby Browne has been described as "loving, caring and thoughtful"

Mr Browne described his son as "loving, caring and thoughtful".

"He would put everybody first before him," he said.

He said he and his wife recently found their son upset and on asking him what was wrong, he replied: "I'm afraid of the doctor telling me I'm going to die. Why is that happening to my son or anybody? It is an absolute nightmare. I wouldn't wish it on anybody.

"My wife Louise is absolutely shattered. Her world is just in pieces. I try to be strong and keep strong for both of them.

"I would just plead...because no one knows, until they do a test, and they could be the hero. They could save my son's life."

:: Further details on how to register can be found at https://www.dkms.org.uk/register-now

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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