Girl’s beautiful three-word message to Lincoln donor at gala with James Corden and Bob Geldof

A girl from the US who met her donor for the first time told him ‘I love you’ and said he is the ‘best donor ever.’ The touching moment was captured at a London gala held on May 23 organised by blood cancer charity DKMS.

The National History Museum has raised crucial funds for the charity’s global mission and hosted the first-time meeting, onstage, between a seven-year-old blood disorder patient from Louisiana and her stem cell donor, a 23 year old serving member of the UK armed services from Lincoln, who gave her a second chance at life.

The annual event was hosted by actor and comedian James Corden, in support of DKMS’ mission to eliminate blood cancer. Other celebrities attending included Idris Elba, Bob Geldof and Trudi Styler.

The evening’s festivities came to a crescendo during the highlight moment where seven-year-old Demi Thibodeaux from Louisiana met for the very first time the stem cell donor who saved her life, Robert Brookes-Wardle. Robert, 23, was born and raised in Lincoln, and is a private with the British Army.

After Demi was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called HLH which had already tragically claimed the life of her older sister Daelyn, she was extremely unwell and doctors confirmed that a stem cell transplant was her best chance. Across the Atlantic, Robert had registered as a stem cell donor with DKMS – about six months later, Demi’s medical team found that he was a compatible stem cell match for her. When he was originally called to donate Robert said it felt like, “a small gift from me and the least he could do,” but for Demi and her family that small gift made all the difference in giving her a second chance at life. Six years after receiving her transplant from Robert,

Demi and her family have so far only communicated with Robert via Facebook, where they have shared Demi’s love of horses, but last night Demi embraced Robert on stage alongside her mother, and thanked him for being there for her when she needed him most. For the Thibodeaux family, it was a long journey to finally meet their hero; a man who had once been a complete stranger but had now become, as Demi said, “a part of their family.”

Robert said: “I feel like it’s a privilege to donate my stem cells – it’s an incredible feeling.” About the simple process of registering with DKMS as a potential stem cell donor, which comprises some quick mouth swabs and a few health questions, Robert added: “To swab, it took just a few minutes – it’s not a long process.” Anyone aged 17-55 and in general good health can find out more and sign up with DKMS at dkms.org.uk

Demi said: “I love you Rob, you are the best donor ever.” Demi’s mother DeeDee added: “I couldn’t be happier with how healthy Demi now is.”

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