Addenbrooke’s Hospital is to get the region’s first paediatric bone marrow transplant service, which will save lives and avoid gruelling journeys to specialist centres hundreds of miles away.

The service, which also means families don't have to be separated, was officially launched on September 25. 

Guests included the unit's first patient, 15-year-old Will Grocott from Baldock, Herts.

Will, who has acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), received a bone marrow transplant thanks to his sister Libby, 17, and is now under the dedicated care of the service, the first of its kind to be set up in the UK in years.

In a joint statement, dad Dan, mum, Jen and the children, welcomed the service, emphasising how important it is to stay close to one another and known clinicians during the transplant process.

They said: Dealing with leukaemia, not once, but twice with the same team, has been such a big deal to us. Having those relationships really helped us cope with some very difficult situations.

"Having the bone marrow transplant at Addenbrooke’s made a huge difference to us. It was our team, and we didn’t have to split the family up, just when we needed each other the most. We cannot thank the team enough."

The service is being led by a 20-strong group of doctors, nurses, clinical nurse specialists, dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, play teams, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, specialist clinical scientists and others, and made possible thanks to NHSE funding of around £1.5m a year.

Bone marrow transplantation is a complex and high risk intervention that is usually reserved for when other potential treatment options have failed, but it can be lifesaving for those who need it. 

CUH associate director of operations, Amanda Cahn, said: "We are thrilled to receive funding for this service, which will be of major value to young patients and their families from all over the East of England and further afield.

It is the first unit of its kind in many years to be established in the UK and we are very grateful to NHSE for funding which relieves much of the heartache associated with travelling to other regional centres.

Find out more about make a donation at the Antony Nolan Charity.