Tanner McLeod has been searching for a stem cell donor for a long time. He was diagnosed with sideroblastic anemia at just six months old and has required a transplant for the past four years of his life. While the family was unable to find a full match, Tanner’s older brother Teemu is a partial match and able to donate thanks to recent medical advances. The McLeod family is ecstatic that Tanner is finally getting the treatment he needs, but they also want to point to improvements that should be made in the system.

About Sideroblastic Anemia

Sideroblastic anemia is a group of blood disorders characterized by normal iron levels, but the iron is unable to play its role in the production of hemoglobin. Because of this, iron accumulates in red blood cells’ mitochondria and causes the characteristic symptoms. There are three forms of sideroblastic anemia: inherited, idiopathic, and acquired. They all cause the characteristic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and breathing difficulties, but the severity can vary across impacted individuals. Enlargement of the liver and/or spleen is also possible, and acute leukemia is a complication in under 10% of cases.

If the condition is inherited, it is passed in an X-linked recessive pattern on an altered ALAS2 gene. This gene plays an essential role in the production of heme, which is part of hemoglobin. In the acquired version, the cause is prolonged exposure to certain drugs or toxic substances, tumors, metabolic disorders, granulomatous disease, or immune conditions. In idiopathic sideroblastic anemia, the cause is unknown. Treatment is based on the specific cause. For example, treatment of the acquired version consists of identifying and avoiding or addressing the trigger. Doctors may also prescribe Vitamin B6 therapy and/or Desferal.

Tanner’s Story

Tanner has spent the majority of his life looking for a stem cell donor; everybody found it very difficult to find one. His mother, Miranda, is from Pimicikamak, so they knew that their best bet was to find a donor within the First Nations population. In fact, Miranda even established her own organization, Natamakewin, to match donors to donees and encourage others to join the stem cell registry in Canada.

While her organization has done a lot of good, it was unable to find a match for Tanner. Fortunately, recent advances in science have made it possible for the surgery to move forward with only a partial match, which his brother, Teemu, was.

Miranda is so proud of her two sons; she points out both of their bravery and strength. She added that Teemu is truly embodying Natamakewin, which means to rescue or help someone in Cree.

The family hopes that Tanner will be able to live his life free from symptoms after the transplant. He loves to play sports, especially baseball, but fatigue caused by his condition can get in the way. Miranda is hopeful that he will no longer have to worry about sideroblastic anemia after his surgery.

Looking Forward

After a long, stressful search for a donor, Miranda urges people from various ethnic backgrounds to register to donate stem cells with the Canadian Blood Services so that others do not have to face the same situation.

As ancestral background plays a role in stem cells and matching, it is integral that people of various backgrounds register. At the moment, there is a high need for donors of Asian, South Asian, Black, Hispanic, First Nations, and mixed race descent. Only 33% of those in the registry fall into these demographics.

If you do join, it’s important to understand that it is a long-term commitment. You never know when you’ll be a match for someone who needs it, and you must be prepared for that situation to arise, even if it has been a long time since signing up.

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