A teenage cancer patient who inspired hundreds of people to join the stem cell register is one of the finalists for a BBC Make a Difference young hero award.
Leo Sproson, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, received a transplant to treat his leukaemia earlier this year, and by raising awareness of the need for donors, five other people also found matches.
“That’s five peoples lives I could have saved,” said the 17-year old. “It just kind of feels like what I went through, might be slightly worth it.”
His mother, Jenna Elwell, said she “couldn’t be anymore proud” of her son for being so “open and brave” and sharing his story to help others.
His father, Warren Sproson, said his cancer diagnosis was the “most horrendous news” but he had handled it like a “hero”.
Throughout his gruelling chemotherapy treatment and long hospital stays “he never moaned, never complained, he just got on with it”.
