Lad, 5, can go outside after stem cell miracle

Transplant joy for brave Gunner, suffering rare gene illness

- MARTIN BAGOT

A BOY of five has been able to leave his home for the first time in six months following a successful stem cell transplant made from a baby's umbilical cord blood.

Gunner Lewis-Vale was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at 17 months.

His parents, Holly and Jamie, were told that without a transplant, he would only live for about one or two years.

A previous transplant, from a donor in Germany, failed.

The latest procedure was aimed at extending and improving Gunner's life using samples from an umbilical cord donated 15 years ago and frozen with liquid nitrogen vapour at -150C.