Surge of support for Watton teen Deryn Blackwell as he prepares for today’s bone marrow transplant

Martin George Friday, March 1, 2013
10:28 AM

A Watton teenager preparing for a bone marrow transplant today in his fight against one of the world’s rarest forms of cancer has received a surge of support.

Deryn Blackwell was diagnosed with leukaemia aged 10, and the Wayland Academy student was then told two years into his treatment that he had relapsed, and had also developed Langerhans Cell Sarcoma – one of only six cases in the world.

The 13-year-old is thought to be the only person to have both cancers at the same time, and his bravery has captured the hearts of people up and down the country, including celebrities.

The number of supporters following updates on his progress from his Twitter account @_DoEveRYthiNg has rocketed from fewer than 500 on Wednesday to more than 2,200 this morning.

Messages have come in from rugby player Brian Moore, actress Brooke Kinsella and Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, who tweeted in character as Boycie “A’right Deryn, young man? Marlene sends you a big kiss. Yuck. For Gawd’s sake woman...”

Today’s transplant, from a young donor in Germany, is expected to take two hours, but Deryn does not expect to know whether it has successfully grafted for three weeks.

Follow Deryn at @_DoEveRYthiNg