An extraordinary outpouring of solidarity has brought hope to Elion, the 4-year-old French boy suffering from a rare form of leukemia. After months of appeals on social media, the family has announced that a suitable bone marrow donor has been found.
"It is an incredible relief. If today Elio has this opportunity, it is thanks to anonymous solidarity and the magic of donation," said his parents, Thomas and Juliette.
Elio's story touched thousands of people in France and beyond. One day he was at school, the next day in intensive care. His parents discovered that the only chance to save him was a bone marrow transplant, but none of them were compatible.
Their appeal was widely shared on social media and led to a tremendous increase in donor registrations. In recent weeks alone, around 70,000 people have registered to donate bone marrow.
Although a donor has already been found for Elion, the family has urged people to continue registering, as "there are still many families waiting for the phone call that could save their lives."
