Hero brother saves sister's life with stem cell transplant after chemo fails
A hero brother saved his sister's life by donating stem cells after her chemotherapy failed.
Natalie Forrest, from Uddingston, nearly died during battle with cancer but is now in remission after battling acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and blast myelodysplasia since last September.
The 40-year-old received a life-saving stem cell transplant from her little brother John, 39, who was found to be a full match - despite only having a 25% chance of being a suitable donor.
Natalie said: "I'm extremely grateful to my brother John, he's my hero and he's saved my life.
'I told him what he had done for me but he's so humble, he gave me all the credit.'
It brought an end to gruelling treatment for Natalie who survived seven cardiac arrests in 28 hours during an aggressive chemotherapy plan.
At one point her family were told to say goodbye as Natalie clung on in ICU hooked up to life support.
However she made a remarkable recovery with medics able to reduce the levels of leukaemia in her blood enough for a transplant.
On June 17 John made the vital donation to his sister and just weeks after that she was given the news she dreamed of.
She said: 'To be told I'm in remission was the most incredible news ever. We all cried happy tears that day."
Natalie said that John and her mum Anne immediately put themselves forward to see if they were a match for her.
She added: 'It turns out he was a perfect match in all aspects.
'There was only a 25% chance he would be.
'All his blood proteins were the same and he matched up on all the rigorous tests they ran.
'When it came to the actual transplant I needed eight million cells and John in the first sitting provided 14.2 million. It was amazing.
'It was great knowing he was with me every step of the way. There is only 17 months between us and we've always been close, but this has just strengthened our bond.'
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John who lives in Barrhead where he works as a plumber says he was relieved he was able to help his big sister.
He said: 'I just did what any brother would do. I didn't feel like it was an option all I wanted to do was help Natalie.
'If the donor didn't come from me it would be a worldwide search where she would be relying on a stranger.
'It was just a few tests and injections. Nothing compared to what Natalie has been through.
'It was really scary at times, at one point me and my mum were preparing to say our goodbyes.
'She maybe owes me one now, but I don't want anything. All I want is for her to live a long and happy life.'
Natalie and John will both take part in the Off the Beatson Track 10k in aid of the Beatson Charity on August 24, with Natalie determined to cross the finish line.
The pair will walk in memory of their dad, John Snr, who died from cancer in January 2024 months before Natalie was diagnosed.
John is going to push Natalie along in a wheelchair, with Natalie's other lifeline toy-poodle Nico walking alongside.
She said: 'I wasn't sure I'd be well enough to take part this year.
'But the event means so much to us as a family. So, we came up with a plan - John will push me in a wheelchair so I can still be there, and Nico is coming along too.'
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