Published on 26 October 2026
A Cheshire blood cancer survivor says an anonymous donor gave him the chance to see his granddaughter born and return to the life he loves.
Tommy Dunning, 63, from Widnes, is encouraging people to join the stem cell donor register after an anonymous donor helped save his life.
The former chemical plant operational manager and ex-Army marathon runner was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in summer 2024. After chemotherapy, he received a stem cell transplant later that year.
Tommy said: “My stem cell donor was only a young lad, and maybe to him I’m just a person who’s recovered from an illness. But what he hasn’t seen is me getting to be a grandad. Our Annie, the youngest one, was only born this year, so without treatment and his donation, I wouldn’t have seen her.”
“Stem cell donors aren’t just saving someone’s life; they’re giving families the gift of recovery and hope.”
Tommy’s diagnosis followed a bout of flu-like symptoms that he initially thought was COVID-19. He recovered in time for a holiday in Spain with his wife, Anne. The day after they returned, however, he woke up shivering and visited his GP, who arranged blood tests. The results led to a hospital referral and further tests, which confirmed AML.
Tommy underwent five rounds of chemotherapy at Whiston Hospital. Neither of his two sisters was a compatible donor, but a search of the stem cell donor register eventually found a perfect match.
Tommy received his transplant at the end of 2024 and now attends hospital every three months for check-ups. Although he has experienced a mild reaction to the transplant, he is recovering well and has returned to DIY projects, including repointing his son Liam’s house. He knows his donor was a young man from London and hopes to meet him when the two-year anonymity period ends.
Tommy said: “I just want to kiss him. Thanks to him, I’m living life to the full, every second.”
Tommy and Anne had regularly donated blood, but he knew little about stem cell donation before his diagnosis. He now supports DKMS UK in raising awareness and encouraging more people to join the register.
Deborah Hyde, a spokesperson for DKMS UK, said: “Tommy is living proof that stem cell transplants offer second chances at life. Everyone who signs up to the stem cell donor register is a vital link in a worldwide chain of hope for people waiting for a compatible transplant, their families and everyone who loves them.”
Anyone aged 16 to 55 who is in general good health can register to be a donor at: www.