ANOTHER Bolton youngster has agreed to become a bone marrow donor - to save his five-year-old brother. Eighteen-year-old Lee Molyneux's bone marrow will be transplanted into ailing younger brother Tom, who is battling against two killer diseases including a form of leukaemia. The transfusion operation's chances of success are just 75 per cent.

And even if the transplant means brave Tom beats myelodysplastic syndrome - an early form of leukaemia - he still faces the rest of his life under threat from an incurable illness which could give him a brain tumour at any time. But today the little fighter, who also suffers from learning difficulties, poor balance and severe asthma, told the BEN he wasn't worried by all his problems. "I'm going to grow up big and strong and be a policeman," said Tom. "The only time I don't like it is when the doctors get their needles out."

Lee, whose decision to help Tom comes just days after the BEN revealed that schoolboy Nicholas Russell had agreed his bone marrow should be transplanted into ailing 12-year-old sister Charlotte, said he just wanted to help his brother.

"I'm not frightened for myself, but I'm really worried about Tom," he said.

Mum Karen, aged 41, of Hibernia Street, Deane, said she was proud of both of her boys - especially Tom who has been plagued by illness all his short life.

"Of course I get down now and again," she said. "But all I have to do is look at Tom to know he'll get better. He even smiles when he's ill." Tom's problems started shortly after birth when doctors diagnosed he was a severe asthmatic.

Then, aged just two, it was discovered that the tot had neurofibromatosis - a killer genetic disorder which means tumours can emerge on nerve ends anywhere within the body, including the brain or eyes. There is no cure or treatment for the illness, which tends to develop fully during teenage years and has already left Tom with learning difficulties. But just when parents Karen and Roy, aged 44, were recovering from the shock diagnosis, further tests revealed Tom had myelodysplastic syndrome - an illness which attacks bone marrow production and develops into full-blown leukaemia if untreated. All Molyneux family members were checked for transplant compatibility with Tom. Lee, of West Way, Hall i'th' Wood, Bolton, proved the perfect bone marrow match. "I think Lee is worried, but he was adamant he would become a donor," said mum-of-five Karen. "As for Tom, he's been through such a lot, but he never stops laughing and playing." Tom will lose his hair through chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment prior to his transplant at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, later this month. But three of his big brothers, Daniel, aged 12, Adam, aged 10, Jack, aged eight, have decided to make Tom feel better - by shaving their own heads.

"They thought Tom wouldn't be self-conscious if they looked the same," said Karen. "All my kids have been brave and I'm really proud the way they have pulled together."

Brandwood Primary School pupil Tom will spend seven months in isolation after the transplant to avoid infection, including a four-week stay alone in hospital.

But today he told the BEN he wouldn't be scared or bored - as long as he had his Teletubby dolls and medical staff provided a PlayStation.

"I like playing games," he said.

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