A BROMSGROVE teenager who has smiled his way through his leukaemia fight and inspired others to sign up to the stem cell register has been nominated for a Pride of Britain award.
After months of looking for a match, Leo Sproson, aged 16, received a stem cell transplant last month and has been undergoing chemotherapy.
Leo’s mum, Jenna, has been so amazed by Leo’s response to his potentially life-threatening illness that she has nominated him for a Pride of Britain award in the Child or Teenager of Courage Award category.
Staff at the Standard have also nominated Leo for the award and have joined a rallying call for others to nominate.
Leo has allowed his story to be shared and heard through his Facebook page ‘Leo’s Army’ in a bid to get other people to join the DKMS stem cell donor register.
His family held a registration day in November and, in total, 718 people signed up to the stem cell register on the day, with many more registering for online kits.
The event also raised more than £4,000 for DKMS, which will help the charity with processing the swab kits.
Jenna has sat with Leo day in and day out with him for just over five months now.
She said, through the gruelling treatment, long hospital stays, endless tests, fear and uncertainty Leo had faced, he had shown a kind of bravery that left her and others in awe.
She added: “He still smiles. He still thinks of other people.
“He still finds ways to lift those around him, even on the hardest days.
“When most would crumble, Leo shows quiet determination.
“When things are frightening, he faces them head-on.
“That isn’t just strength – that’s courage in its purest form.”
Leo will be in the hospital until May 25, meaning he will not be home in time for his birthday on March 25.
His aunt Kate Best added: “The actual stem cell transplant was the easy part, but the isolation and chemotherapy before and the 10 days after have been brutal for Leo.
“As always, he hasn’t moaned, though and just keeps pushing on.”
Visit: data.reachplc.com/242643338335962 to nominate Leo.
