A teenager initially diagnosed with tonsillitis only to discover he was suffering from leukaemia has suffered a heart-breaking delay after his bone marrow transplant was cancelled. Jordan Grainger was rushed to hospital by his family on Boxing Day and prescribed antibiotics for the suspected throat infection.
But his condition continued to worsen and he was taken back to A&E a week later, where he collapsed in the waiting room. After blood tests, Jordan, 18, and his devastated parents were told he had acute myeloid leukaemia.
Jordan rapidly started treatment and underwent seven days of intensive chemotherapy on January 14, spending his 18th birthday in hospital during a six-week stay. His devastated mum and dad Dean and Emma Grainger, who have another son and daughter aged 15 and 12, have been by his side, living at the hospital while also juggling work and childcare.
He was due to have a bone marrow transplant on Friday but the donor they were hoping for is too small so the transplant has been cancelled. His dad Dean told BirminghamLive : "Jordan has had some devastating news following his latest consultation regarding the donor.
"We have been told today that the donor is not big enough to produce the amount of cells required for the transplant. This means the transplant has been postponed until another donor can be found."
Jordan, of Chelmsley Wood, near Birmingham, will now undergo a bone marrow biopsy on Friday followed by more consolidation chemotherapy while the family await another donor to come forward.
The teen's aunt Nicola Middleton has started a GoFundMe to help the family through the next six months, which she said were going to be "extremely tough". Nearly £2,000 has so far been raised towards a £5,000 goal.
Nicola said: "They are a family who have always been there for everyone else and I’m hoping now that everyone will help them out in this time of need. Jordan's dad is too proud to ask for help and never asks for anything.
"But he's always the one people turn to when needed. Jordan and his family are on an unthinkable journey. So, please, anyone who can help, no matter how small, this is when they need it the most."
Jordan needs the transplant to replace damaged blood cells with healthy ones. His younger sibling was a full match but, because he is under 16, another donor is required, leaving the family facing an uncertain future.
Nicola added: "This is a very traumatising time for the family and the next three to six months are a critical time for Jordan while he goes through the transplant with many possible complications along the way but hopefully light at the end of this dark tunnel."
To find out more about the fundraiser click here.
