‘Bubble boy’ back to support hospital unit
LITTLE SETH SPENT HALF HIS LIFE IN STERILE BUBBLE
A little boy who touched hearts around the world after spending half his life in a “bubble” at a Newcastle hospital has returned to the North East.
Today Seth Lane’s parents describe him as a normal sevenyear-old boy, who loves swimming, football and gymnastics.
But just two years ago, life was very different for Leanne and Nik Lane as their young son was confined to a sterile bubble at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital, undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
And last week the family, from Corby, Northamptonshire, returned to Newcastle to support the medical unit which saved Seth’s life.
Seth suffered from Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) – the most severe type of immune condition – which means he was born without an immune system.
For children with SCID, even the simplest “common cold” virus passed on by a mother’s kiss can kill.
Because of this, Seth has had to spend around half his life in sterile isolation.
He underwent a second bone marrow transplant at the Newcastle’s Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in 2015, after complications from his first treatment at a different hospital meant his immunity started to drop and his body started attacking his marrow in what is known as graft versus host disease.
Dad Nik, 33, said: “Seth’s doing really well now, it’s amazing to see #wearyellowforseth – AllyBrooke Hernandez Dad Nik Lane pictured with Seth and Boyzlife star Brian McFadden at the Bubble Foundation’s 25th anniversary. Right, Seth with nurse Paula Askew him just being a normal little boy.”
Life has transformed for the family since Seth was given the allclear after his second transplant and mum Leanne, 34 is about to give birth to her third child, a daughter, due this July. The couple also have a two-year-old son, Hugo.
During their time in Newcastle, the family captured the hearts of people around the world after Seth asked people to wear yellow – his favourite colour – via a social media video which went viral.
Well-wishers across the world, including celebrities Ashton Kutcher and William Shatner, rushed to support Seth by wearing yellow.
Nik said: “Wear Yellow for Seth was uplifting, overwhelming and incredible all at the same time. “It really helped to cheer Seth up and it was fantastic to receive support from around the world.
“Even now, when Seth sees something in yellow, reminds him of that.”
The Bubble Foundation, the children’s charity which works in partnership with the Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, and funds research, provides accommodation for families, equipment and toys for the children, helped the family when they stayed in Newcastle.
With so much time spent in the bubble to protect Seth from any bacteria or infections, the Bubble Foundation provided toys and educational tools to support his development and make his stay in the unit as enjoyable as possible.
Nik said: “It was tough going through what we went through as a family. We knew there were no guarantees when Seth went for his second transplant using my marrow but we were so fortunate.
“We’re so thankful to all the Bubble team in Newcastle for everything they have done for us.” it