17-year-old with acute leukemia was given two weeks to live — then his doctor called with the one update he needed to survive
Chronic diseases are among the most difficult challenges anyone can face. No one wants to hear the devastating news of having to count their days. In those times, all one hopes for is a miracle. Now-44-year-old Jody White, residing in the Welsh town of Presteigne, was in a similar situation in his teenage years. He was diagnosed with a chronic disease, an acute leukemia of a rare kind, in October 1999, after he showed several symptoms, including colds and a large rash, as reported by Wales Online on April 7, 2026. Without treatment, he had only two weeks to live. However, a call from his doctor brought him news that paved the way for his recovery.
White felt consistently ill when he was 17. He also suffered a severe ear infection, which temporarily resulted in loss of hearing, among other symptoms. He was diagnosed with acute undifferentiated leukemia (AUL). According to a study in the US, AUL is an extremely rare form of blood cancer that occurred in only 1.34 cases per million between 2000 and 2016. His parents were told he had only two weeks to live without treatment, so he began chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. When the family was preparing for the worst, doctors shared hopeful news. His best chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant. His siblings tested for a match when he got a call his family longed for. The doctor informed, “I’ve got some very good news for you – Jessie is a perfect match.”
White's younger sister, Jessie, who was 11 then, was identified as an eligible donor for a bone marrow transplant. A bone marrow transplant is a procedure in which healthy blood-forming stem cells are put into your body to replace bone marrow that is not producing enough healthy blood cells, as described in a Mayo Clinic report. However, the major challenge is finding a match. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most suitable donor is a healthy person whose human leukocyte antigens (HLA) closely match the HLA of the person needing a bone marrow transplant. About 30% of patients find a donor within their immediate family. For White, his sister, six years younger, became that ideal match.
“It’s crazy. Jessie was born with exactly what I needed to survive,” White remarked, describing the moment the sibling received the test match information from the doctor. “It’s not very often you get to be someone’s antidote,” she told the outlet. She added that she prayed to be a matching donor and wanted to play a role in her brother’s difficult journey, which he fought bravely. White and her were very close in childhood, according to Jessie. Theirs was “the most idyllic family,” but recurring infections in the then-teenager changed everything. Doctors were initially unsure until the diagnosis on October 10, 1999. “Everything fell apart,” White recalled. Treatment began the next day, but it came along with its side effects. Jessie remembered waking up to the sound of her brother screaming in pain. At one point, he developed pneumonia and was admitted to the ICU. He recalled being "very close to death."
In February 2000, the youngster began his bone marrow transplant after Jessie was identified as a match. From there, his recovery was slow and gradual, including weeks in hospital isolation to prevent infection. Finally, in April, doctors assured her the situation was under control. However, even after treatment, White continued to see his doctor for regular checkups, which initially became weekly, then monthly, and later yearly. Now, more than two decades have passed, and White, who was told he would only live for two weeks, is still alive. "I feel so lucky to still be here," he noted.