Super Sam’s story is an inspiration

Aug 13 2008 by andrew Davies, Rhyl Visitor

SUPER Sam Roberts is hoping to get back to normality having endured an unbelievable five years of health problems.

Since 2003, the 15-year-old has amazingly battled leukaemia, meningitis and undergone a double lung transplant.

The Visitor this week spoke to Sam and dad Jez, who is assistant headteacher at Rhyl High School, about his amazing recovery and the fantastic support the “comeback kid” has received.

“It started in February 2004, we had problems with blood tests that were showing a low red count. We went through to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd then eventually to Alder Hey in Liverpool, where he had a bone marrow test,” said Jez.

“The first time it revealed there was no leukaemia there. Then when he had to go back in the June, he was diagnosed with leukaemia and had a stem cell transplant in November that year.”

Sam’s mum Lynn was a 100% match and able to be the donor for the transplant. However, events unfortunately took a turn on New Year’s Eve when he collapsed at his Rhyl home.

“Sam was taken to Glan Clwyd and had to be respirated there, then taken to Pendlebury hospital in Manchester where he was put on a respirator for 10 days,” said Jez.

“During that time they weren’t sure what the problem was, but it was diagnosed after another bone marrow that he had meningitis.

“So he’s been through leukaemia and he’s got through meningitis and then the problem of all the treatment for both of those illnesses was that they had trashed the lungs.

“We were told at Alder Hey a year ago that Sam would need a double lung transplant and then we were referred to Great Ormond Street hospital in November 2007, to be assessed to get on the actual transplant list.”

At 2.20am on July 13, the family got the call that a suitable set of lungs had been found.

Since the 10-hour operation, Sam’s recovery has been remarkable.

“He was only in intensive care for four days,” said Jez.

The support Sam and his family – including brothers Tom 18, and Ben, 20 – have received from friends and the whole community is something which Jez believes played a big part in his recovery.

From receiving a signed Wales shirt from Manchester City player Ched Evans, to being given a laptop by Rhyl South West Residents Association.

Arsenal fan Sam is grateful for the outpouring of support he’s received.

“I want to thank my mates, my mum and dad, just all my family and friends and also all the doctors and nurses as well. I just want to get back to normal now really,” he said.

Now the family are trying to raise awareness of the value of organ donation.

“Sam is a big believer in organ donation and although we’ve been very lucky we just hope that by hearing Sam’s story that people out there won’t give up hope and keep willing it to happen because it will happen,” added Jez.

andy.davies