A selfless stem cell donor has flown 5,000 miles to Texas to satisfy the 17-year-old woman whose life he saved 5 years in the past.
Dan Lewis-Dayle, 45, from Stoke-on-Trent, shared an emotional embrace with Payton Granberry after they got here face-to-face for the primary time.
She was identified with a uncommon blood dysfunction known as aplastic anaemia aged 12 and spent over 100 days in hospital.
Dan’s stem cells had been shipped throughout the Atlantic and used to reset her immune system.
Highschool pupil Payton, who has been in remission for the reason that transplant, instructed the Day by day Specific she was “very nervous” to satisfy the one who gave her a brand new lease of life.
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She added: “You don’t know what you’re going to say or do, or the way you’ll react. It’s undoubtedly nerve-wracking.
“It was very surreal, a dreamy feeling. It didn’t appear actual for a great whereas.”
Actor Dan stated he discovered himself “pacing like a brand new dad” forward of the assembly.
However the pair grew to become immediate buddies and located they’d a stunning quantity in widespread, together with a love of conspiracy theories and the theatre.
Dan, who joked that Payton is like his “stem-daughter”, recalled the second he determined to hitch the donor register.
He stated: “I used to be watching an episode of Residence and Away and there was a personality in it who wanted a stem cell donation.
“One thing flashed up on the finish of the episode and I simply thought, I’ll join it if I can do some good. I by no means anticipated to obtain a name again so shortly.”
Inside three months, Dan’s stem cells had been making their method to Payton – although he had no thought who he was serving to on the time and solely knew it was a really sick youngster.
Years later they had been put in contact by charity DKMS and Dan handwrote a letter introducing himself to her household.
Payton’s dad Brandon stated the go to had been an enormous success and he was extremely grateful to Dan.
He added: “It’s loopy how one particular person can change a lot for you. It saved her life.
“I used to be all for assembly and it’s been tremendous, we’ve had a very good time.”
Greater than 2,000 folks want a stem cell transplant every year within the UK however the donor register can not meet demand.
In case you are aged between 17-55 and normally good well being you possibly can join a house swab package on-line right here.