IT’S been over 100 days since selfless Sam Astley became a national hero after passing up the chance to see England play in the Euro 2020 semi finals so he could make a lifesaving stem cell donation.
Sam from Sedgley made headlines across the country for turning down the chance of a lifetime to help save the life of a stranger.
Such was the support for his kind-hearted act - he and girlfriend Beth Hill, who had scooped free tickets to the semis, were given VIP tickets, courtesy of Vivo, to see England play in the final after football pundit and former England star Gary Lineker and others put a shout out on Twitter for help!
And now, more than 100 days on, Sam has received an early Christmas present - the gift of knowing his donation successfully helped to save a life.
He told the News he has received word that the unknown recipient of his stem cells has made it past the 100-day milestone and he added: "It's really positive news which is great."
The recipient's details remain confidential but Sam said he is permitted to send an anonymous letter to the patient and he said: "I might take them up on that and wish them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year."
Sam, aged 24, a buyer for a Worcester-based manufacturing technology company, said he had little ill effect from undergoing the procedure to harvest bone marrow on July 7 at The London Clinic.
His back hurt slightly for five days but he added: "After two weeks I was back to full energy. I was quite nervous before but I had no side effects; it really was quite easy from my side.
"I'd do it again if somebody asked me to."
Family friend Simon Wilkes, from Brierley Hill, who organised the event at which Sam signed up to the Anthony Nolan register, said there were no words to describe what Sam, who plays for CTS United in Dudley, did - other than to say it was "amazing".
Mr Wilkes, who has a rare form of blood cancer, has organised a number of stem cell drives at charity events remembering his late son Olly Wilkes. It was his social media posts praising Sam’s kind gesture that led to the story going national and turning the unassuming football fan and his girlfriend Beth, a 25-year-old critical care nurse from Cradley Heath, into local celebrities.
Henny Braund MBE, chief executive of blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, said: "Sam’s story captured the attention of the entire country during an exciting Euros tournament, and in sharing his donation experience, 1,500 people were inspired to apply to join the Anthony Nolan register.
"To put it simply, this equals 1,500 more chances for patients hoping for a second chance of life, but there is more to do. Young men aged 16 to 30 are most likely to be chosen to donate which is why we’re urging them to please consider signing up online at anthonynolan.org to potentially save a life, just like Sam."
She said it was great to receive a positive update on Sam's story - adding: "For Sam to receive news of the patient’s wellbeing, so close to Christmas, must have been really comforting. We wish them all the very best as they continue their recovery."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here