Nine-year-old Qasim Rizwan from Bolton has recovered from autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) after receiving every matching unit of rare blood available in the country, according to reports from the Belfast Telegraph. Scientists discovered he possesses a rare blood subtype shared by roughly one in 10,000 people, prompting a nationwide search by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to source life-saving transfusions.
A Rare Diagnosis in Bolton
Qasim was diagnosed with AIHA in June of last year. The rare disorder affects approximately 1,200 people in the UK annually, causing the immune system to mistakenly target and destroy red blood cells faster than the body can produce them. Initial symptoms include extreme tiredness, a rapid heartbeat, and jaundice.
The Search for a One-in-10,000 Match
Doctors at Manchester Children’s Hospital initially struggled to match Qasim’s blood type. Scientists at NHSBT subsequently discovered he carried a rare mix of blood types, including r’r’, a subtype of the Rhesus system shared by roughly one in 10,000 people. Records indicate that only around 50 registered blood donors possess the r’r’ type.
To secure enough blood for treatment, NHSBT staff urgently defrosted and dispatched all six matching units of blood from its national frozen blood bank in Liverpool, alongside another unit from a facility in Colindale, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph. Medical teams also specifically called up a rare donor to provide fresh blood, while administering steroids, immunoglobulin, and other medications.
A Mother’s Terror and a Rapid Deterioration
Reflecting on the rapid onset of the illness, Qasim’s mother, Mahnaz Nazar, told the Belfast Telegraph that her son had been a fit and healthy eight-year-old before waking up one morning with yellow eyes and skin. His heart rate was elevated, and he experienced breathlessness while speaking.
After initial evaluation at Bolton Hospital, Qasim was transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital as his condition deteriorated. “It was terrifying because you don’t know what was going on, all you see is your child getting worse and worse,” Ms Nazar told the Belfast Telegraph.
Meeting the Donors and Life Returning to Normal
One of the transfusion units Qasim received matched his exact age, having been donated when that specific donor was just eight days old. Following his recovery, Qasim—now nine years old—visited the NHSBT national frozen blood bank in Liverpool alongside his father, Rizwan Ahmed, and brother Yusuf to thank the staff.
“I felt like I was going to die,” Qasim told the Belfast Telegraph regarding his illness. “I really like the doctors, they helped me so much… I feel like I have my daily routine and everything is back to normal. My life has restarted.”
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