A HEARTWARMING video shows a big brother scream with joy and leap across the room when he finds out he can ‘save’ his cancer-stricken baby sister.
The clip has divided viewers, with some praising the little boy’s bravery and others calling the video ‘disgusting’.
Instagram/@pubityJosie Schwendeman, in the centre, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was just 11 weeks old[/caption]
Instagram/@pubityWhen she relapsed in October last year, her siblings Caden and Kinley were tested to see if they could donate stem cells to help her treatment[/caption]
Instagram/@pubityHer brother Caden turned out to be the perfect match[/caption]
Josie Schwendeman was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was just 11 weeks old and relapsed in October 2023, after living cancer-free for two years.
The tot has endured gruelling chemotherapy treatments and was told by doctors she’d need a stem cell transplant to survive.
Stem cells are very early cells made in the bone marrow – a spongy material that fills the bones.
A transplant involves collecting cells from the bloodstream and allows cancer patients to have high doses of chemotherapy and other treatments, according to Cancer Research UK.
It can be tricky to find a donor, but sometimes a brother or sister can be a good match as they’ll have similar stem cells to the cancer sufferer.
In this case, Josie’s brother Caden was a ‘perfect match’ to her – meaning his stem cells were similar enough to his baby sister’s for the transplant to work.
The six-year-old and his older sister Kinley both had their stem cells tested to see who would make the best donor for Josie.
Their parents Janette and Casey film a sweet video to announce which sibling would be able to ‘save’ the little tot.
Posted the Instagram page dedicated to Josie’s cancer battle, Casey told the Caden and Kinley: “We have one perfect match and the other person is a five out of 10.”
He asked the kids, who were sat on a hospital bed on either side of baby Josie: “Who wants to be the perfect match?”
Caden squirmed with excitement, asking: “Who is it?” Both he and Kinley covered their mouth with their hands as they waited for the answer.
Janette announced that Kinley was a five out of 10 match, meaning Caden would be donating stem cells to his sister.
Josie, I’m gonna save you.”
Caden Schwendeman
At the news, Caden launched himself across the room screaming with excitement.
Casey told him: “Caden, you are going to save Josie’s life.”
Meanwhile, Janette told her son he was ‘Josie’s hero’.
In a heartwarming moment, Caden hugged his baby sister and told her: “Josie, I’m gonna save you.”
Josie’s stem cell transplant was scheduled for January 25, with her parents asking people to keep to the tot in their prayers in post to their Instagram page.
‘A beautiful moment’
The video proved divisive to viewers, with some commending Caden’s bravery.
One wrote: ““Josie I’m gonna save you” brb I’m crying Niagara Falls.”
Another said: “My brother was my donor and saved my life too. This is such a beautiful moment.”
But one viewer questioned whether Caden had the ‘autonomy’ to chose whether to donate his stem cells to his sister, calling the video ‘disgusting’.
Another commenter said they feared the six-year-old would feel pressure or guilt if Josie’s treatment wasn’t successful.
But other viewers were quick to point out that a stem cell transplant isn’t “a high fatality” process and that Caden would only experience “mild discomfort”.
“Child’s autonomy is important, but it’s likely that when presented with the opportunity to try to save a siblings life, the other sibling will be eager.
“I think we are underestimating the potential of a child to be compassionate and brave,” a viewer pointed out.
Another said that Caden was jumping at the chance to give his sister a fighting chance as he’s watched her suffer.
The symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells.
It progresses quickly and aggressively and requires immediate treatment.
According to the NHS around 790 people diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK.
Although it is rare, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is the most common type of leukaemia that affects children.
Cancer Research UK said symptoms include:
feeling weak or tired
flu-like symptoms
a high temperature
picking up or not being able to shake off infections such as coughs and colds
bruising and bleeding easily
weight loss
swelling of your lymph nodes
pain in your bones or joints
breathlessness
feeling full in your tummy
looking pale or washed out
Symptoms can be similar to other illnesses so it doesn’t;t mean your little one has cancer if they have them.
Instagram/@pubityCaden screamed with joy when he was told he could ‘save’ his baby sister[/caption]