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Leukaemia Patient Nearly Dies: Twin Has Idea To Save Thousands
Monday 5th March 2012 | Osh
Graham and Britton Douglas believed they were fraternal twins for almost 18 years. However, when Britton needed a bone- marrow transplant after chemotherapy failed, the brothers from Texas discovered they were identical. This was bad news, because by sharing the same DNA, this meant that their genetic make- up was too similar to fight the cancer. Therefore Britton could not receive his brother’s bone marrow.
Britton Douglas is now a 27 year old successful, and more importantly healthy, Dallas lawyer. This could only happen thanks to a bone marrow donation from a stranger.
His twin brother used the unfortunate circumstances to help others. Over the last decade he has devoted himself to finding better ways to get more Americans to become donors.
Graham’s concept was so simple yet could save thousands of lives- packing a swab kit inside a box of bandage strips.
The process involves people swabbing their blood and sending a sample to DKMS before applying a bandage strip to a minor cut.
All potential donors are anonymous and even if a match is found, there is no obligation to donate bone marrow.
Anyone in good health aged from 18-55 can donate!
