Bone marrow transplant donor Peter Hardy has finally met the cancer patient whose life he saved.
The Dumfries mechanic had a procedure in London in 2015 to help a stranger – seriously-ill Barnsley pensioner Tony Oliver.
The pair were matched up for a bone marrow transplant after Peter signed on with a register administered by the Anthony Nolan Trust.
And after the charity helped them to get in touch recently they came face to face in York on Saturday.
Peter, 26, said: “Me and my girlfriend went down to meet Tony, his wife Tina, their two kids and their partners.
“I don’t really get nervous about anything but when I was getting close to meeting him I got butterflies.
“They gave us a big hug and said thank you. We all went to the pub and had a nice meal, shared each other’s stories and celebrated.
“His daughter said she was so glad because if it wasn’t for me he wouldn’t have seen her graduate. That hits you quite a bit.”
And Tony, 75, told the Standard: “It was unbelievable to meet him. Peter saved my life.
“My family and I are so grateful to him. It’s thanks to him I am still alive today. It was an emotional meeting.”
Before the transplant, Tony was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a serious bone marrow disorder, and was given months to live.
After being tagged as a 98 per cent match, Peter underwent a series of blood tests, an ECG and chest X-rays to ensure his donation would be successful before the procedure was carried out.
He had to wait two years to ensure his transplant was successful before the Anthony Nolan Trust put him in touch with Tony.
Peter added: “People keep saying ‘well done’ to me but I did hardly anything. Anthony Nolan Trust are the miracle working middle men. They get you ready for a donation and they do all the hard work.
“I travelled down to London and I lay in a bed for five hours as the donation was made. It really isn’t a painful procedure.
“This kind of thing could happen a lot more and I would encourage anyone who can to join the register.
“I always look at it like the effort you go to, to donate is worth it if it saves someone’s life. Even if you don’t like needles the person that needs your donation is in a worse spot than yourself and the feeling of satisfaction is worth it.”
