A boxer from Cornwall with a rare condition has been given a second chance at life thanks to a complete stranger who donated stem cells. Charlie Dugdale, aged 17, had just qualified to become a chef in Winchester and was waiting to go to Plymouth to start his submarine training in the Royal Navy when he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia - a type of blood disorder where your bone marrow doesnt make enough blood cells - at the end of last year.

Charlie underwent multiple blood transfusions as well as a platelet transfusion but was informed by doctors that a stem cell transplant was needed to give him a second chance at life. So, his family teamed up with blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan, to help find Charlie a donor and to encourage people from all backgrounds to sign up to become potential donors.

After a number of stem cell donation rallies were held across Liskeard, Charlie was able to find a match on the Anthony Nolan stem cell register - which came from a donor in Germany - and successfully received a stem cell transplant last month. Following an initial recovery period in hospital, Charlie is now back home and continues to recover well from his transplant.

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His father, Thomas Dugdale, has described the success of the transplant as being 'a miracle' and said his family couldn't be more grateful for the support they received from the community and those who donated stem cells to help save Charlie's life. "It's amazing and it's a miracle we found a perfect match for him," Thomas told CornwallLive.

"The transplant went really well and aside from an infection he got just after, he is doing well now. He's also gained 10 kilograms since and aside from the odd days, he's almost back to himself, which means the world to us."

Despite the fact that the stem cells came from a donor in Germany, Thomas said his family is still grateful for the donor days that were held and wanted to thank everyone who donated. "The stem cell donation actually came from Germany and it was a perfect 12/12 match for Charlie," he said.

"But I don't want to take away from the donor days we held because those donations could still help others in need. It was still lovely to know that all these people came forward to help Charlie and we can't thank everyone enough."

He said he also hopes to meet the stranger who saved Charlie's life in the future and thank them in person. "We have to wait about two years before we're able to have the opportunity to meet the person who the donated stem cells that helped give Charlie a second chance at life," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it, I'll never be able to thank them enough."

Now Thomas, who is an Officer and Engineer in the Royal Navy, is set to run the London Marathon this weekend to help raise money for Anthony Nolan. The 39-year-old previously ran the New York Marathon in 2018, but was keen to run the London Marathon this year to raise money and bring awareness to the charity that has had a significant impact on Charlies life.

"Whilst I had heard of Anthony Nolan before, I wasnt really aware of exactly what they did until what happened to our family," he said. "Its incredible work, and Im really glad Ive got the opportunity to share how important they are and the work they do. It's also really important to encourage more people to come forward to donate stem cells, so that it can help save other people's lives."

Thomas has had to overcome a few challenges during training, including multiple work trips abroad and battling a chest infection. However, throughout these difficulties, he said he has taken inspiration from Charlies attitude towards overcoming barriers, which has helped him push forward with his training.

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"There were days Charlie didnt want to do his chemotherapy or have his treatment, but he never moaned once and was incredibly strong throughout his treatment," he said. "On the days I didnt want to go for a run, I take strength from what Charlie has overcome and realise that if he can go through what he went through, then I can make it through a 26-mile run. I want to show my gratitude towards his strength."

So far, Thomas has smashed his fundraising target and has already raised 6,927 of the 5,000 goal. However, he hopes to continue raising more funds for the vital charity in the days leading up to and after the marathon and has set himself a new fundraising target of 7,000.

You can view his fundraising page, here.

Anthony Nolan are calling for more people between the ages of 16 and 30 to join the register, specifically young men as research shows that they have the most success donating. Currently just 18% of the UK Anthony Nolan stem cell register is made up of young men, but they account for 55% of people called upon to donate, and potentially save the lives of people like Charlie.

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Liskeard teen given second chance at life thanks to complete stranger from Germany who donated stem cells - Cornwall Live