The mother of four boys with one of the world's rarest illnesses has donated her bone marrow to her eldest son

Jun 11 2004

A mum whose four sons all suffer from a rare life threatening disease yesterday donated her bone marrow to her eldest son Josh. Allison Hartley was found to be a match for 12-year-old Joshua, who has the rare degenerative condition XLP.

Mrs Hartley has undergone the 'harvesting' procedure, with Josh due to have the transplant transfusion itself on Wednesday or Thursday. Mrs Hartley underwent what is known as a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Collection (PBSC) in the Rosenheim Wing of University College hospital.

The four boys - Joshua, Nathan, 10, Daniel, eight, and Luke, four - were diagnosed with the extremely rare genetic defect known as X-Linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, or Duncan's Syndrome, in November.
The only cure for the boys, who are among just 100 people to have the disease, is the bone marrow transplant.

A potential donor has been found for Daniel but matches are still required for Nathan and Luke.

Those interested in joining the Anthony Nolan Trust's donor register should call UK: 0901 88 22 234 (Calls cost 25p a minute) or visit the trust's website, www.anthonynolan.org.uk.