EXCLUSIVE: When dad-of-three John Blackston, 46, was struck down once more with leukaemia after considering he had crushed the illness, he rang his brother.
John Blackston (proper) and his brother David who dropped every part to reply his name for assist (Picture: The Christie)
A twice-hit blood most cancers sufferer is lastly having fun with well being and happiness after his brother jetted 3,350 miles over from New York to donate his life-saving stem cells. Dad-of-three John Blackston, 46, was recognized with blended phenotype acute leukaemia (MPAL) in November 2022 and obtained a stem cell transplant matched from a person in Israel.
However two years later, in July 2025, he felt unwell once more and was shocked to find the leukaemia was again – so he rang his youthful brother David, 42, within the US, who was too poorly to donate the primary time. After David jetted over to The Christie Hospital in Manchester to donate his stem cells, current exams present 99.5% of John’s blood cells are from his sibling’s donation, and he’s feeling nice once more.
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will embody adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Delighted John advised us: “I’m feeling good and getting again to regular. I’ve been out working once more, performing some boxing courses, and simply taking issues daily. I understand how fortunate I’m.”
MPAL is a uncommon blood most cancers that impacts the bone marrow and accounts for lower than 5 p.c of all leukaemia circumstances.
John, who married his associate Samantha in 2024, first realised one thing was severely flawed after collapsing at dwelling.
He stated: “My daughter discovered me on the prime of the steps and my spouse rushed me to the hospital.
“They did some blood exams and advised me I used to be solely a few days away from not being right here. I had sepsis as effectively, so it wasn’t good.”
After a number of rounds of chemotherapy, John obtained a stem cell transplant at The Christie in April 2023. The donor was a 21-year-old from Israel who was an ideal match.
Stem cell transplants deal with some blood cancers. The remedy replaces broken cells with wholesome donor stem cells, permitting the physique to supply regular blood cells once more.
The transplant was initially profitable, and John returned dwelling in Might 2023. However simply over two years later, in July 2025, he started to really feel uncomfortable whereas out working and suspected one thing wasn’t proper.
The Christie is among the world’s main most cancers hospitals and analysis centres (Picture: MEN MEDIA)
“I’d been doing a ten-mile run and simply felt unusually out of breath,” John stated. “I went to my GP to get a blood check. A couple of days later, The Christie rang me to say the leukaemia was again.”
John instantly known as his youthful brother David, 42, who lives in New York along with his spouse and two youngsters.
David had beforehand been recognized as an acceptable donor, which is round a 1 in 4 probability for siblings, however was unable to donate on the time due to anaemia.
Eager to be prepared if one other alternative got here up, he had been working to get his well being so as, together with having iron infusions to boost his iron ranges.
After a brand new spherical of exams, it was confirmed that David might donate. In October, he travelled from america to Manchester for the process at The Christie.
The night time earlier than the transplant, the brothers spent the night collectively sharing a pizza in John’s room.
“It was fairly an odd second,” John stated. “Clearly, we’re shut anyway, however when your brother is about to avoid wasting your life, it’s a unique sort of bond.”
The subsequent day, David’s stem cells have been collected throughout a process that took round six hours.
“After I noticed the stem cells popping out within the bag, after which the day after, watched them give them to John, I didn’t actually know the right way to react,” David stated.
“It was like an out-of-body expertise. Seeing my brother have thousands and thousands of my cells put into his physique. Not many individuals get to witness that.”
David stated the entire course of was easy.
John Blackston (left) and his youthful brother David (Picture: The Christie)
“You will have a number of days of injections into the stomach beforehand, however that’s about it,” he added. “It was a lot simpler than I anticipated. I do know it’s severe stuff, however the persona of the workers put us comfy. I take my hat off to them.”
John is now recovering effectively after the transplant. His newest outcomes present that 99.5% of the cells in his blood are from his brother’s donation.
Reflecting on the expertise, John says his prognosis and remedy modified the way in which he seems to be at life. “You’re not a statistic, and everyone seems to be totally different, however I really feel like being strong-minded has helped.”
It has additionally inspired John to consider supporting others sooner or later.
Rising up, John’s household raised over £500,000 for providers in Manchester by way of ‘Leukas Support’, a charity arrange by his mum after a detailed household buddy was recognized with leukaemia.
The funding helped develop the specialist leukaemia ward at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Having been a part of these efforts as a toddler, and spurred on by his personal expertise, John now hopes to present again once more.
“It’s unusual how issues come full circle,” he stated. “If I can assist elevate consciousness or help analysis into this uncommon leukaemia, that’s one thing I’d actually love to do.”
* To donate to The Christie’s charity go to – https://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/donate/donate-online
Leave a Reply