Jack pays it forward for his mum
Jack joined the stem cell donor register with DKMS in 2012 after an anonymous donor came forward to save his mum’s life. Twelve years later, he had the chance to do the same for someone else.
Mum’s diagnosis
On Boxing Day 2012, Jack, from Bristol, received terrifying news. His mum, Rose, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke. Doctors soon discovered she also had leukaemia. Her recovery was tough, but ultimately, an anonymous stem cell donor saved her life.
Jack recalls: "It was Mum’s transplant that made me sign up to the stem cell donor register with DKMS. Someone had done it and gone on to help my mum, so if I could possibly ever have the chance to do the same, I wanted to take it. It was quick and easy – just some simple cheek swabs and a few health questions."
The call to donate
Jack’s decision would go on to change someone else’s life. Twelve years later, just before Christmas, he received a call from DKMS -- he had been identified as a donor match for an anonymous patient in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.
Thanks to her own stem cell donor, Rose w able to see Jack marry his partner, Rachel, and meet their daughter, Poppy, her first grandchild. So, given the opportunity to pay forward the kindness his family once received, Jack didn’t hesitate. He selflessly donated his stem cells and recently learned that his donation was successful, and a man in France now has a second chance at life.
Jack reflects: "I’ve also been on the other side of this, so I potentially know a bit of what he was experiencing and feeling. I was glad I could help out; there are people out there who are willing to help two strangers – him and my Mum – and you never know, maybe his family might also get the opportunity to pay that forward too."
Get involved
This Mother’s Day, Jack has joined forces with DKMS to encourage others to sign up as potential stem cell donors. In October 2025, he will take on the Chicago Marathon to raise awareness and support for DKMS — ensuring more families receive the same life-saving help his did.
