From South Wales to Sheffield: Rohan’s journey from leukaemia diagnosis to the British Transplant Games

Meet Rohan – from transplant patient to British Transplant Games competitor!

Just over a year after receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant at Sheffield Children’s, 16-year-old Rohan is preparing to represent Sheffield Children’s at the British Transplant Games.

Rohan, from South Wales, is one of the team members competing as part of Sheffield Children’s first-ever team at the Games, which take place across Sheffield this August.

The Games

The Games, taking place in Sheffield from 6–9 August, bring together thousands of transplant recipients, living donors and donor families to celebrate the life-changing impact of organ and stem cell donation through sport.

The 2026 Games are particularly special for Sheffield Children’s as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. For the first time, Sheffield Children’s is entering its own team, sponsored by Westfield Health and Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.

For 150 years, Sheffield Children’s has been driven by its commitment to create healthier futures for every child. From everyday concerns to complex conditions and life-saving treatment, Sheffield Children’s has cared for children, young people and their families across Sheffield, South Yorkshire and beyond. Today, that same belief remains unchanged: every child deserves the same chance to be healthy, no matter where they live or what challenges they face.

A life-changing journey

Rohan was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in February 2025 after what initially appeared to be tonsillitis failed to improve with antibiotics. Further tests revealed he had a high-risk form of leukaemia, meaning it was unlikely he would remain in remission without a stem cell transplant.

After achieving remission following chemotherapy at University Hospital Cardiff, Rohan was referred to Sheffield Children’s for specialist treatment.

He arrived at Sheffield Children’s in June 2025 and, just two days after celebrating his 15th birthday, underwent a life-saving stem cell transplant using donated umbilical cord blood.

The cord blood used for Rohan’s transplant had been frozen and stored for 14 years – a reminder of the incredible impact of donation and how a gift made years earlier can go on to save a child’s life.

Following his transplant, Rohan remained under the care of the haematology team on Ward 6 before spending five months living in Sheffield while he recovered. During this time, being away from home and his family in South Wales was challenging, but the support of the team helped make a difficult period a little easier.

Rohan said: “Everyone at Sheffield Children’s was amazing. From the cleaners and caterers to the consultants, everyone was caring, supportive and fun. They always spoke directly to me and really listened, which made such a difference.

“Being away from home for so long was tough, but the support we received from everyone on Ward 6, the psychiatry team, the play specialists, teachers and the PACT team made such a difficult time much easier. We’ll always be grateful for everything they did for us.”

PACT – Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia – are based at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. PACT offers emotional, social, and practical support to families in South Yorkshire who have children and young individuals battling cancer, aiming to enhance their quality of life.

Back doing what he loves

Before becoming unwell, Rohan loved playing football with friends at school and training with his local team. He also enjoyed keeping active with family and friends.

Since his transplant, Rohan has gradually returned to the things he loves. He’s back at school, enjoying cycling, playing tennis, learning golf and spending time gaming with friends – something that helped him stay connected while he was recovering in Sheffield.

Returning to school was an important milestone for Rohan, and after a phased return he was back full time from January, whenever he was well enough. Despite facing further challenges, including a severe case of shingles during his GCSEs, he was able to celebrate finishing school with his friends, including taking part in his leavers’ celebrations and prom.

He now hopes to study engineering at college in the future, having always loved the subject at school.

Taking part in the British Transplant Games marks another important milestone in Rohan’s recovery and gives him the opportunity to celebrate the gift that made his transplant possible.

Rohan said:

“I’m taking part in the Transplant Games to give something back to the hospital that saved my life and to raise awareness of stem cell donation.

“My transplant came from donated umbilical cord blood that had been frozen for 14 years. I’ll never know who my donor was because that information isn’t kept, but I do know that a child’s cord blood donation has given me the chance to get back to doing the things I love and enjoy being a normal 16-year-old.”

Rohan’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of stem cell transplantation, the generosity of donors and the incredible resilience of young people recovering from serious illness.

As he joins Sheffield Children’s first-ever British Transplant Games team, he’ll be celebrating not only his own recovery, but also the extraordinary care he received, the generosity of his donor and the opportunities that transplantation has made possible.

The Sheffield Children’s team

Seven young people from Sheffield Children’s will compete as part of Team Sheffield Children’s across a range of sporting events. Each has their own unique story of resilience and determination, united by the life-changing impact of transplantation.

The team includes children and young people who have received kidney, bone marrow, stem cell and double lung transplants, with competitors travelling from across the region – and beyond – to take part under the Sheffield Children’s banner.

The British Transplant Games are about much more than medals. They celebrate the generosity of donors and their families, promote the benefits of physical activity after transplant, and give recipients the opportunity to meet others who share similar experiences.

Sheffield Children’s will be joining adult competitors from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the city’s hosting team. Sheffield 2026 is on track to be the largest in Games history with a record number of 2,857 people registered to participate.

Yvonne Millard, Chief Nurse at Sheffield Children’s, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be entering a Sheffield Children’s team in the British Transplant Games for the very first time. Each member of our team has shown remarkable courage and resilience, and their participation is a celebration of how transplantation can help children and young people build healthier futures.

“As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, it’s a privilege to cheer on these inspirational young people while recognising the extraordinary generosity of donors and their families, whose gift has made these moments possible.”