Parents' joy as donors are found for all four sons

Four young brothers with a very rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder have a chance of life today after bone marrow donors were found for all of them.

Only one person in 1,000 was a likely match for each of the Hartley boys - Joshua, 12, Nathan, 10, Daniel, eight, and four-year-old Luke. Today their father, David, said: "We are so happy. It's the answer to our prayers that we have got to this stage."

The defect, Duncan's Syndrome, could have killed the boys before they reached their teens and for Joshua as the eldest boy, time was running out. The desperate search saw hundreds of potential donors volunteer in the Hartleys' home town of Romsey, Hampshire, while thousands more contacted the Anthony Nolan Trust's bone marrow register.

Duncan's Syndrome, also known as x-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, was diagnosed last November. It affects only boys, attacking the immune system and leaving victims vulnerable to cancer and fatal infections.

The boys' mother, Allison, 36, was matched as a donor for Joshua and a potential donor was found for Daniel two months ago. Matches were still needed for Nathan and Luke but these were confirmed on Friday, said Mr Hartley, 40. "We now have a full set, if you like," he added.

"It's what we were waiting for - that phone to ring with confirmation that there's some stranger out there who's been found to be a match for one of our sons to save his life. It's even better. This person is a potential match for both our sons." Nathan will be the first recipient from the latest donor. "He has been beaming for the last two days," said Mr Hartley. "He understands the severity of what they are facing and that now there is a potential cure."

Joshua had his bone marrow transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital on 9 June after his mother donated stem cells. It is believed he could be in hospital for some weeks yet.

No transplant dates have been set for the other boys until Josh recovers. "The plan is to potentially do one more this year," said Mr Hartley.

"We don't want to start the next operation, and then if Josh gets sick, there's still two other boys to care for and only two parents."

The Anthony Nolan Trust is appealing for more donors, particularly males aged between 18 and 40. For information on donating call 0901 8822 234 or visit the charity's website at www.anthonynolan.org.uk