Taio meets his lifesaver Felix
In spring 2023, Taio was the heart of our fundraising campaign. He was just three years old and had been diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a life-threatening condition that causes too few blood cells to be produced.
We launched our campaign to help cover the cost of adding more potential stem cell donors to the register – donors like Felix, the match who gave Taio his second chance at life.
Stem cell donor from the neighbourhood
Felix had always felt connected to his ‘little genetic twin’, so the day they finally met - two years after he donated his stem cells - was an incredible moment which only confirmed that feeling.
The first meeting took place at Taio’s family home and, to everyone’s surprise, not only were the pair genetic twins, but they were also neighbours! Felix lived in the same city as Taio, just 10 minutes apart.
Normality for Taio
Taio’s family is finally able to look forward to a healthy future for Taio. He’s a big Spider-Man fan, loves to play football, and is finally able to enjoy the everyday joys of childhood.
Felix was even by his side on his first day of school!
How fundraising can help children like Taio
Every 14 minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood disorder in the UK. Many of those people will need a stem cell transplant, just like Taio did.
DKMS works to find potential stem cell donors, many of whom go on to save people’s lives. Each new registration costs DKMS £40, and your donation could help cover that cost.
Give money today so more children like Taio can find their Felix.