Young Footballer’s Unexpected Leukaemia Diagnosis Sends Shockwaves Through Community
Aston Bevington, an aspiring 16-year-old football and rugby player, recently received devastating news just before Christmas – he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia. Initially, Aston and his family thought he was only dealing with glandular fever, but as his health continued to decline, the truth became impossible to ignore.
His mother, Sian Mansell, remembers the heart-wrenching moment when they received the call from Aston’s doctor, informing them of the cancer diagnosis. The family was shattered, but their strength and determination are unwavering as they now face a challenging journey towards finding a stem cell donor to help Aston in his fight against the disease.
The Bevington family is appealing to young people, particularly those aged between 16 to 30, to register as stem cell donors with the Welsh Blood Service’s Registry. While over 40 million people worldwide have signed up as potential donors, finding a suitable match can still be a daunting task, with three in ten patients unable to find a compatible donor.
Aston has already begun chemotherapy and required blood and platelets as part of his treatment. However, his body’s response to the therapy indicates that a stem cell transplant may be necessary to cure him by replacing the cancerous cells with healthy ones from a donor. The family is hopeful that more people will come forward to join the registry and potentially save Aston’s life.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Aston’s passion for football and rugby remains at the forefront of his thoughts. Having achieved success at youth level, playing for esteemed clubs like Swansea City AFC and Pontardawe Town AFC, Aston faces a difficult decision about his future in sports as he navigates his treatment and searches for a donor match.
The outpouring of support from the sports community has been overwhelming for the Bevington family, with gestures like his hometown rugby club, Porthcawl RFC, shaving their heads in solidarity with Aston. The unity and encouragement from those around him have not gone unnoticed, providing him with the strength and motivation to keep fighting.
Alan Prosser, the Director of the Welsh Blood Service, emphasised the critical need for more donors to sign up, highlighting the potential life-saving impact a stem cell transplant can have for patients like Aston. With advancements in modern medicine, the donation process has become more streamlined and less invasive, offering hope for those in need of a transplant.
In the midst of this challenging time, the Bevington family’s plea for more stem cell donors serves as a beacon of hope for Aston and countless others facing similar battles. By raising awareness and encouraging young people to join the registry, they aim to increase the chances of finding a suitable match for Aston and ultimately, giving him the opportunity to pursue his dreams once again.