'I've been given a second chance at life — thanks to the Mirror and the miracle of organ donation'

'I've been given a second chance at life — thanks to the Mirror and the miracle of organ donation' EXCLUSIVE: Speaking during Organ Donation Week, Jasper Makungu, who has sickle cell disease, thanked us and charity DKMS for giving him a second chance at life The little boy who had a vital transplant after the Mirror stepped in to save his life is ready to go back to school. The grateful family of Jasper Makungu, who has sickle cell disease, thanked us for giving him a "second chance at life". His story gives hope to more than 8,691 patients on the donor transplant waiting list in the UK, including 227 children. Two years ago, the desperately sick schoolboy, now 13 years old, was taken into a hospital in India alongside his sister Mercy, who was 16 at the time. She was found to be a perfect match for a stem cell transplant by blood cancer charity DKMS. Now, during Organ Donation Week, Jasper's family has expressed its appreciation at DKMS, the Mirror and the medical team who performed the operation. We had teamed up with them to arrange the procedure in Bangalore, India, 4,000 miles from Jasper's home in Zambia. It was carried out in 2024. Jasper has just been able to leave isolation after his immune system was wiped prior to the transplant. His mum Carol Njovu, 45, a secondary school teacher, spoke of their gratitude and the miracle of transplantation. The UK is facing a transplant crisis due to the lack of donors. Back home in Kabwe, Zambia, Jasper's dad Jackson, 48, told us: "Our little boy is getting big now. We are so grateful to you. You have been a blessing to me and my family." Mercy, who would like to be a nurse, had bone marrow removed from her hip and her stem cells were then taken from it and given to Jasper. She stayed in India with her brother, studying online to keep up with her school work. In September 2022, the Mirror first met with his dad Jackson at a disused lead mine close to their home in Kabwe, described as the most toxic town on Earth. He was digging for the metal, which sells for 68p per bag, to feed his family. He told us of the tragic loss of his first son Jackson Jr to sickle cell disease at five years old, and the need to treat Jasper. We enlisted the help of DKMS and Jasper was fit enough to travel to India in 2024. UK spokeswoman Deborah Hyde said: “Everyone at DKMS is so happy to hear that Jasper is doing so well, and that his stem cell transplant has given him a second chance at life. "You can help DKMS offer second chances to more people waiting for a transplant from a matching donor – joining the stem cell donor register. "It takes just minutes and could save a life.” Without a stem cell transplant, children like Jasper who have life-threatening blood disorders, often do not survive their childhoods. In countries like Zambia, this treatment is not available. Patients have to travel abroad, which is often beyond their means. Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition affecting around 17,000 people in the UK. The sickle-shaped cells clog blood vessels and harm organs. Some victims die in childhood or have regular painful episodes. You can join the DKMS register if you are aged 17 to 55 and in reasonably good health. The NHS, meanwhile, says registering your organ donation decision takes just a few minutes but could save up to nine lives. Registering your decision on the NHS Organ Donation website. helps your families to know what you want and could transform someone’s life.