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04/06/2008
Finding NEMO's Happy Ending
A young boy has reputedly become the first child in the UK to be cured of a rare genetic illness.
Rhys Harris, 7, from Newbridge, south Wales, has survived treatment, which has given him a new immune system.
Rhys had to endure living in a 'plastic bubble' - which ensured he was kept in sterile isolation – for two months, meaning his parents couldn't touch him.
Rhys was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease called NEMO which affects the immune system and other organs of the body, when he was three.
The disease, of which there have only been 40 reported cases since 2001, rendered his immune system deficient.
Experts at Newcastle General Hospital gave young Rhys only a one in three chance of survival.
However, when a bone marrow was found in the United States, Rhys underwent a life saving transplant - before which his own bone marrow was killed by chemotherapy.
Mario Abinun, Consultant Paediatric Immunologist at Newcastle General Hospital said that Rhys "has already gotten over a few hurdles and all the indicators and laboratory reports show he is doing fine".
Mr Abinun added that Rhys will not be given a clean bill of health until at least the autumn.
Rhys' father, Kevin, 44 said he knew it was a "slim chance" the treatment might work but he and his wife, Dawn, had to take it.
"The flipside of the coin just wasn't worth thinking about," he said.
(DS)
Rhys Harris, 7, from Newbridge, south Wales, has survived treatment, which has given him a new immune system.
Rhys had to endure living in a 'plastic bubble' - which ensured he was kept in sterile isolation – for two months, meaning his parents couldn't touch him.
Rhys was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease called NEMO which affects the immune system and other organs of the body, when he was three.
The disease, of which there have only been 40 reported cases since 2001, rendered his immune system deficient.
Experts at Newcastle General Hospital gave young Rhys only a one in three chance of survival.
However, when a bone marrow was found in the United States, Rhys underwent a life saving transplant - before which his own bone marrow was killed by chemotherapy.
Mario Abinun, Consultant Paediatric Immunologist at Newcastle General Hospital said that Rhys "has already gotten over a few hurdles and all the indicators and laboratory reports show he is doing fine".
Mr Abinun added that Rhys will not be given a clean bill of health until at least the autumn.
Rhys' father, Kevin, 44 said he knew it was a "slim chance" the treatment might work but he and his wife, Dawn, had to take it.
"The flipside of the coin just wasn't worth thinking about," he said.
(DS)
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Police Receive New Leads In Rhys Murder Inquiry
Police investigating the murder of Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones have said that they received a good response from an appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch show on Wednesday night. More than 60 calls have been made to the programme following last night's appeal, including 12 calls, which named the same person as a suspect.
Police Receive New Leads In Rhys Murder Inquiry
Police investigating the murder of Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones have said that they received a good response from an appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch show on Wednesday night. More than 60 calls have been made to the programme following last night's appeal, including 12 calls, which named the same person as a suspect.
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Rhys' Mother To Make Fresh Appeal
The mother of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones is to make a fresh appeal for information about his killer on BBC One's Crimewatch show tonight. Rhys, who would have turned 12 on Thursday, was shot dead by a hooded teenager on a BMX bike as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth in Liverpool on August 22.
Rhys' Mother To Make Fresh Appeal
The mother of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones is to make a fresh appeal for information about his killer on BBC One's Crimewatch show tonight. Rhys, who would have turned 12 on Thursday, was shot dead by a hooded teenager on a BMX bike as he walked home from football practice in Croxteth in Liverpool on August 22.
06 September 2007
Funeral Held For Rhys
The funeral of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones has taken place in Liverpool. The funeral procession for the 11-year-old travelled from his family's home in Croxteth, past Goodison Park - home of his favourite football, club, Everton - before arriving at the city's Anglican Cathedral at 2pm.
Funeral Held For Rhys
The funeral of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones has taken place in Liverpool. The funeral procession for the 11-year-old travelled from his family's home in Croxteth, past Goodison Park - home of his favourite football, club, Everton - before arriving at the city's Anglican Cathedral at 2pm.
05 September 2007
Schoolfriends Pay Tribute To Murdered Rhys
Schoolfriends of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones have paid tribute to him at a special assembly held at his old primary school on the first day of the new term. Pupils, parents and teachers gathered outside Broad Square Primary school in Norris Green in Liverpool on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to the eleven-year-old.
Schoolfriends Pay Tribute To Murdered Rhys
Schoolfriends of murdered Merseyside schoolboy Rhys Jones have paid tribute to him at a special assembly held at his old primary school on the first day of the new term. Pupils, parents and teachers gathered outside Broad Square Primary school in Norris Green in Liverpool on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to the eleven-year-old.
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