Boy saves big sister’s life after growing pains turned out to be cancer

By Ben Barry via SWNS

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 mom, 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. 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 were 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, from Manchester, UK, 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 am super proud of Rio and super proud of Ruby for getting through it all."

The mom of four recalled: "I had heard of leukaemia, but I didn't know much about it.

"I just couldn't believe what was happening to us."

"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."

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."

The operation took place on September 22, 2022.

Debra said: "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."

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 mom.

"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."