Jasper 'danced his way' through transplant op

A BOY with a rare and life-threatening condition "danced his way through" treatment on the "bubble ward" at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

- By SAM VOLPE

Little Jasper Hodgson Smith, now eight, is one of just 35 people in the UK to have the rare disease, activated PI3K delta syndrome (APDS).

Jasper had a stem cell transplant from his dad Matt in late 2024 and spent around five months at the renowned unit, which is ward three at the Great North Children’s Hospital.

Speaking at an event to support the Bubble Foundation charity which works to help staff and patients on the ward - mum Sophie Hodgson Smith explained since his treatment, Jasper's immune system was rebuilding itself, slowly but surely.

She said: “He's doing OK. He went out for his first fish and chips recently, his first meal out - that was something exciting. We have passed some of the first milestones, but we still have to get his T-cells over 500 to get him to school.”