A Brisbane cancer patient’s search for a life-saving stem cell donor has been thrown into uncertainty after swab testing for potential donors was suspended across Australia. Rowan Tong-Law has yet to find a match, despite a teenager coming forward after seeing his appeal.
Mr Tong-Law was diagnosed with cancer during what his family believed was a routine check-up. His mother, Bronwyn Tong, recalled the doctor telling her: “Oh, we’ve just checked these bloods, you’ve got cancer.”
When chemotherapy failed to cure him, the search began for a suitable stem cell donor. His mixed English, Scottish and Chinese heritage means the odds of finding a match are understood to be one in 44 million.
“They would need to be of our similar background,” his father, Robert Law, said.
A 17-year-old who saw the family’s appeal offered to help, writing that they were also of English, Scottish and Chinese descent and would be “very happy to donate stem cells to help your son”.
But the potential donor’s swab could not be processed because recruitment and testing have been suspended nationwide.
Rochelle Akhavan, an advocate, said the stem cell donor sector was “in limbo”. Stem Cell Donors Australia can no longer continue its activities or commit to events, she said.
The organisation’s contract ended in June. A replacement operator was expected to be appointed by August, but months later no decision has been made on who will run the new register.
“That’s appalling,” Ms Tong said. “People will die from this.”
Lifeblood remains the only alternative route on to the stem cell register, but it is limited to blood donors aged 18 and over.
The Commonwealth has said the tender process is unrelated to the suspension of swab testing. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the states should challenge Canberra if necessary.
“If it means — as states — we have to go and rattle the cage to get some common sense from Canberra, of course we should,” he said.
For the Tong-Law family, the delay has added to the pressure of waiting for a match. “When you have a sick child, time is everything,” Ms Tong said.
