Two-year-old's story triggers 1,200% increase in donors

A two-year-old boy from Birmingham suffering from a rare immune condition has sparked a 1,200 per cent increase in the number of Asian people applying to become bone marrow donors.

Two-year-old Gaurav Bains was diagnosed with Monosomy 7 in July which could lead to an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Doctors have warned that he could become seriously ill unless he receives a transplant before Christmas.

His parents launched a campaign to recruit new bone marrow donors, and blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan has revealed a 1,200 per cent increase in Asian people applying to join the register since the family’s campaign.

Nearly 500 potential donors have come forward in the last two months, compared with 40 this time last year.

Sunny Bains, who keeps a blog about his son's condition, described the response as "overwhelming".