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Kin and bones

18-month-old saves brother, 8, from cancer with donation of bone marrow and umbilical chord

Children's Hospital doctors say it was the biggest turnaround for a child they had ever seen.

BRAVE little Luke Nicholson beams as he hugs his older brother – after saving his life by donating his own bone marrow and umbilical cord.

The 18-month-old hero came to Joshua’s rescue when the football-mad youngster relapsed with Leukaemia and desperately needed a transplant to survive in January this year.

 The two brothers Josh and Luke with mum Victoria
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The two brothers Josh and Luke with mum VictoriaCredit: BPM Media

He was given the all-clear after first being diagnosed aged five in August 2014 but medics feared he wouldn’t survive without a donor when it returned.

Incredibly, Luke was a perfect match for his eight-year-old bro and Josh made a miracle recovery following the op at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Proud mum Victoria, 37, of Solihull, West Midlands, said: “The doctors said it was the biggest turnaround for a child they had ever seen.

 Dad Matthew, pictured and mum Victoria decided to freeze Luke's umbilical chord
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Dad Matthew, pictured and mum Victoria decided to freeze Luke's umbilical chordCredit: BPM Media
 The brothers are closer than ever
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The brothers are closer than everCredit: BPM Media

“Josh is now starting to make a recovery and the boys are closer than ever.”

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