More than 8,000 people have registered as donors after their families appealed to them.

The international charity, which aims to support blood cancer patients, has announced that around 8,800 people in the northern region have registered as potential stem cell donors in the past week.

of DKMS The charity says it typically registers between five and 10 people a week as donors.

But following an appeal from a Northern Irish family seeking a bone marrow transplant for their teenage son with acute myeloid leukemia, DKMS has seen an “incredible surge” in people signing up as donors.

Daniel Greer, 14, from Newry, started complaining of back and neck pain four weeks ago.

His parents took him to his family doctor, and after blood tests, he was diagnosed with leukemia.

“As a result of the Greer family sharing Daniel’s story, we have seen an incredible spike in registrations from Northern Ireland,” said Reshna Radibun, Head of Communications and Engagement at DKMS.

“We received 8,826 stem cell donation registrations in one week, compared to a typical weekly registration of five to 10 from Northern Ireland.

“We actively encourage those who have registered to return their home swab kits as soon as possible.

“We understand that men between the ages of 18 and 30 are often chosen as first choice donors, but if there is someone in that age group who has not registered, we encourage them to do so.

“We are moved by Daniel's story. He is still young and shaken up, but if we can find a matching donor, there is a chance for him to live a normal life again.”

The surge in registrations was first reported. newry reporter this week.

Daniel's mother, Ann, said he was “not going to sit around and wait” until he found the right person.

“It's like waking up in a nightmare,” Anne told BBC Radio Ulster. talkback.

“When you are told your child has a potentially fatal disease, you climb the Morne Mountains and are an avid athlete, a lively boy who loves sailing, diving, swimming, kayaking and rugby. I think they're sitting there watching, “They're getting this wrong.''

The Greer family is asking people to register as donors.

Daniel has received numerous blood and platelet transfusions.

“It's emotional. It's really hard to see your child sick and feel like you can't do anything for him,” Anne added.

“We would like to encourage anyone who is eligible to register on the bone marrow registry, even if they are a general blood donor or platelet donor if they are not eligible for any reason.

“Blood and platelet donors are very good. Daniel has already been isolated and hospitalized for four weeks. No outdoor life, no fresh air. That's a lot for a 14-year-old.”

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue located in the center of certain bones in the body where blood stem cells reside.

Blood stem cells produce all the blood cells you need, including red blood cells that carry oxygen and white blood cells that fight infection.

Diseases, such as some types of leukemia, cause the bone marrow to stop functioning normally.

For these patients, their best hope for recovery is to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

Stem cell donor charity Anthony Nolan says more than 2,000 people in the UK require a bone marrow or stem cell transplant each year.

Around 75% of patients in the UK will not be able to find a compatible donor within their family and will need an unrelated donor, the report said.

The process of becoming a donor involves taking a simple cheek swab, and the results are recorded in a register.

In 90% of donations, stem cells are collected through the donor's bloodstream, and in 10% they are harvested from the donor's bone marrow and require a surgical procedure.

Daniel has completed 10 consecutive days of intensive chemotherapy, and his family remains hopeful that a compatible donor will be found.

“If you know my Daniel, you know he never backs down or gives up easily,” his brother James said in a social media post.

“He's going through this like the same little warrior he's always been.”