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Perfect match: Big brother's bone marrow saves life of little brother with rare, genetic condition

A Virginia family is celebrating a "miracle of life" for the 5-month-old baby boy. He was born with no immune system, and the chance of finding a suitable bone marrow donor was slim to none.
Posted 2022-01-25T22:30:14+00:00 - Updated 2022-01-25T22:47:50+00:00
Family celebrates 'miracle of life' after testing shows sibling are perfect match for bone marrow

A Virginia family is celebrating a "miracle of life" for the 5-month-old baby boy. He was born with no immune system, and the chance of finding a suitable bone marrow donor was slim to none.

Morgan and Donovan McNaughton had difficulty having a child, so their first son, Fergus, was born through in vitro fertilization. Out of five available embryos, their doctor recommended the healthiest one.

Fergus is now 3 years old.

"He is enjoying his normal life, you know, his life as a super hero," said Morgan McNaughton.

In August of last year, Fergus became an older brother to Everett.

For two weeks, it seemed that all was well.

"Then on a Friday afternoon, we kind of got the phone call," said Morgan McNaugton.

Newborn screening revealed that Everett had severe combined Immunodeficiency, a rare genetic condition also known as SCID, or more commonly referred to as "Bubble Boy Disease."

Everett had no immune system, and a matching bone marrow donor was their only hope.

First, McNaughton had to get Everett to Duke Children’s Hospital, which specializes in rare pediatric conditions.

Then a few weeks later came another phone call. A Duke immunologist had good news about genetic test results done on Fergus.

"Fergus is a 100% match," recalled McNaughton. "He said, 'I don’t know if you can appreciate how rare this is.'"

The odds are astounding, McNaughton said, adding that on average, only 70 SCID children are born in the United States each year. Only 25 percent of siblings are suitable donors.

"It is very rare for a 100 percent match in a family," she added.

That’s why McNaughton said Fergus is a real hero.

"We count our blessings. Our first [son] was SCID free and could save his little brother," said McNaughton.

Fergus saved Everett’s life, but due to isolation requirements, it will still be a while before he can touch his little brother or even hug his mom. For now, the family communicates through FaceTime on the phone.

Currently, Everett and McNaughton are staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Durham. On the 100th day after his transplant, final testing may allow for the family to return home to Virginia Beach.

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