Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS).
His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life.
Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service.
Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite.
"Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year."
Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK.
APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment.
Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant.
Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match.
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Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience.
"Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive.
"For me, the process was simple.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life."
He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine.
Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment.
She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days.
"Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip."
The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells.
The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor.
Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives.
Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions.
Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling."
Appointments to donate are available in Mold on June 9, Bangor on June 10, and Llandudno on June 13, with further dates available across the region.
To find out more about donating blood, platelets, or stem cells, visit www.wbs.wales/NBDW25 or call 0800 252 266.
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North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Father's Day treats contain 'reckless' sugar levels, shoppers warned
Retailers are packing their Father's Day chocolate ranges with record levels of sugar and calories – putting dads at risk of a host of health conditions. An analysis found some paternal-themed bars and treats include almost a week's worth of sugar in a single item. Critics and nutritionists blasted the use of 'humour' and 'oversized packaging' to target men with products that pose 'real health risks'. As part of their Father's Day range Morrisons offers a 360-gram Toblerone Milk Chocolate Bar packing a worrying 216 grams of sugar or the equivalent of 54 teaspoons of sugar, plus an astonishing 1,822 calories. NHS experts say the average adult should consume no more than 30 grams of sugar a day or seven teaspoons worth - plus a maximum 2,500 calories for a man. High-sugar diets lead to having too many calories, which leads to weight gain, while being overweight increases your risk of heart problems such as heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes. And similar levels of sugar were found in treats from rival chains. Marks & Spencer says its 'Big Daddy bar' has been recognised as 'the UK's answer to Dubai chocolate' - a popular bar filled with pistachio - thanks to its 'irresistible pistachio flavour '. But nutritional information for the treat posted online shows it packs an extremely high 119 grams of sugar - the same as 30 teaspoons and more than four days' worth, plus a waist-expanding 1,500 calories. Sainsbury's offers 200-gram box of Lindt Lindor Pistachio Milk Chocolate Truffles as part of its Father's Day range. But small print on the supermarket giant's website confirms the 'bliss' inducing treat packs a hefty 84 grams of sugar – that equates to 21 teaspoons of sugar or three days' worth - plus 1,252 calories. Paul Evans, registered nutritionist at The Nutritionist UK, said: 'The levels of sugar being packed into these so-called 'Father's Day treats' are not just excessive — they're reckless. 'We're talking about single products containing nearly a week's worth of sugar, sold under the guise of a novelty gift. 'This is indulgence pushed to the point of absurdity. There's a worrying trend in how food brands target men — using humour, oversized packaging, and 'treat culture' to disguise the fact these products pose very real health risks' Elsewhere, Tesco is selling its own Toblerone themed treat designed to give dad's waistline a battering. The 400-gram Toblerone Tiny Milk, white and dark Chocolate Bars Pouch includes a tooth decay inducing 163 grams of sugar or the same as 40 teaspoons of sugar. That's almost six days' worth of the white stuff. The 35 Toblerone treats per bag specials also includes an eye-watering 1,476 calories. Tesco said: 'From grooming kits to books, we offer a great range of affordable products in store and online to help families celebrate Father's Day this year.' Mondelez International, makers of Toblerone added: 'These products are intended as an occasional treat and are clearly labelled to ensure they can be consumed as part of a healthy and balanced diet. 'We offer a wide range of different products and sizes to suit the varied needs of our consumers, each of which have nutritional information on pack. All other supermarkets were contacted for comment.
