A Walworth family hopes they will bring “a bit of joy” to families this Christmas with their festive light show to celebrate the charity that saved their son’s life.
Dad Gunaltay Mustafa started putting up Christmas lights when his son Alex was diagnosed with leukaemia at age four, as a way of cheering him up after his chemotherapy.
After he relapsed at the age of eleven, Alex was given a 4 per cent chance of survival. His only hope was a bone marrow transplant – something notoriously difficult to find for people from ethnic minorities.
However, charity Anthony Nolan found Alex a donor, saving his life.
The Mustafa family still put on the light show every year, now to celebrate the incredible work by Anthony Nolan, and to raise money for them via Just Giving.
Writing on this years’ fundraising page, Alex’s sister Jade wrote: “Alex still has life long side affects that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life, but he’s here and with us and that’s all that matters.
“My Dad vowed after the transplant that he would use the lights as a way of raising money for Anthony Nolan charity each year, and all he hopes is that they bring a bit of joy to people who might be going through a hard time and bring a bit of a smile.
“If you have some spare pennies, no matter how big or small, they would be greatly appreciated.
“Without this charity my brother wouldn’t be with us and would have missed out on the last 13 years of memories that we’ve had as a family.”
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The fundraiser has currently raised £859 – achieving 171 per cent of their £500 target.
Anthony Nolan matches people willing to donate stem cells to those who need them, as well as carrying out scientific research and supporting families throughout the transplant process.
To donate click here.
