4-year-old boy’s bone marrow donation could save twin baby brothers

Casey Pownall / GoFundMe

Michael is a 4-year-old boy from Philadelphia and he’s about to save the lives of his 4-month-old twin brothers, Santino and Giovanni.

That’s not hyperbole. This is one brave kid!

At the time of their premature birth in October 2017, the twin babies were diagnosed with Chronic Granulomatous Disease, a rare immune disorder which can be deadly. It turned out that both newborns would need a bone marrow transplant to survive—and that’s where their big brother comes in.

After finding out he was a match, Michael will serve as the bone marrow donor for both of his little brothers!

Casey Pownall / GoFundMe

“He’s just like, ‘I’m a real-life superhero.’ He says, ‘I’m going to save my baby brothers,’” Michael’s mother, Robin Pownall, told Philadelphia’s WXTF-TV.

Pownall said the nurses are in awe of how brave Michael appears to be when he goes in for testing needed for the procedure, and she’s immensely grateful that her son is doing something so selfless for his little brothers.

Watch the family talk more about their experience in the clip below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjTwrO3naY

Pownall’s sister, Casey Pownall, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for medical expenses and other costs associated with caring for the twins during this difficult time. The procedure will take place on March 8 at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Since being launched in December, the page has raised more than $26,000 for the family.

“Most importantly please continue to pray for Santino and Giovanni through this journey. Also our entire family since we are all deeply affected,” Casey Pownall wrote on the fundraising page. “I will do my best to continue to keep everyone updated on how the boys are doing & any changes there may be.”

On Feb. 26, Robin Pownall posted an update to Facebook, letting her followers know that they have been transferred to transplant and that so far everything is “going to plan.”

For his part, Michael is more than ready to be a superhero. “I want to help them,” he told Philly.com. “I’m not scared.”

We’re wishing this family all the best!

Family & Parenting, Good News, Health, News
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About the Author
Kate Streit
Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything.

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