A 10-year-old boy became a 'superhero' for his sister - saving her life by donating bone marrow. Ruby Cheige, 14, came home from school in April 2022 with leg pain which her parents assumed was down to growing pains.
But the next day, Ruby collapsed and her mum, Debra Cheige, 39, rushed her straight to the hospital. Ruby underwent a blood test which revealed she had leukaemia - cancer of the white blood cells.
Ruby was immediately put on a course of chemotherapy - lasting four months - but it failed to eradicate all the cancer cells and a bone marrow transplant - which replaces the sick person's bone marrow with healthy cells - was her only option. Ruby's brothers, Rio, 10, and Marley, three, were both tested to see if they could donate and three weeks later the family was told Rio was a match.
The bone marrow transplant took place on September 22, 2022, and Ruby is now in remission.
Debra Cheige, a support worker, said: "I just froze when we were told she had leukaemia. I was in a room full of nurses, and they told me Ruby's blood came back saying she had leukaemia - I was in a bubble, I couldn't think.
"I was over the moon that Rio could help but, in the back of my mind, I was worried that Rio had to go through surgery too. Watching both of your children get put to sleep, it isn't nice.
"I can't put words into my mouth, I was so excited that Rio was a match and able to save his sister's life. I am super proud of Rio and super proud of Ruby for getting through it all."
After Ruby came home from school with leg pain, Debra thought nothing of it and put it down to growing pains. The mum-of-four - who also has Marley, three, and Morgan, 20 - called 111 and was advised to take her to A&E.
Ruby had an X-ray, which appeared to show nothing of concern. To be on the safe side, Ruby was kept off school the next day, but later that evening she collapsed and was taken back to hospital.
Ruby was given blood tests and single mum Debra was told an hour later her daughter had leukaemia.
Debra, from Little Hulton, Manchester, said: "I had never thought this would happen to one of my kids. I had heard of leukaemia, but I didn't know much about it. I just couldn't believe what was happening to us."
Ruby stayed at the Manchester Children's Hospital for chemotherapy and was an inpatient for four months until September 2022. Sadly, the chemotherapy didn't work and there were still traces of leukaemia in Ruby's body. The only hope was that Ruby would have the bone marrow transplant.
Debra said: "Rio and Marley were both tested, as they could both be matches. Three weeks later we got told that Rio was a match.
"We sat Rio down and said 'Ruby needs this and you're a match' he said he wanted to do it, he wanted to be a superhero. I was over the moon that Rio could help, but scared at the same time."
Rio had to have blood tests to make sure he didn't have any Covid symptoms so the transplant could go ahead.
Rio said: "I was sad when Ruby got sick, but when mum told me there was a chance I could help Ruby I wanted to do everything I could. That's why I went through with the bone marrow transplant. I am so happy my sister Ruby is back home and back to herself."
Debra added: "They both had procedures done on the same day. I would have to leave Ruby and go down for Rio - he was so poorly after the procedure.
"I then had to leave him and go back onto the bone marrow ward to be with Ruby. When the bone marrow was being pumped into her, she was very ill, she had stopped eating. Her body was fighting the donor cells - she was very poorly."
Ruby was in the hospital for nine weeks, but is now in remission and got to ring the bell to say her cancer had gone in April 2023.
Debra said: "I am a single parent of four, I had to give up my job. Most of my year was living in a hospital, leaving my three other children with my mum.
"It took a huge toll on the family and we are trying to get back to reality. It's so nice to see Ruby be with her friends and be a kid again.
"I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy - it has been hell. There was a chance I could have lost my daughter. We are all trying to move on from what happened and get on with our day-to-day."
