Segment 1 Opening credits. The narrator introduces Tracy, a teenage girl who is learning how to skydive. He explains that three years ago Tracy was suffering from leukaemia and is raising money for research into the disease. Her mother describes how they found out that Tracy had leukaemia and the hospital where she was treated, the Royal Marsden in London, is seen. Dr Ray Poles, head of the Leukaemia Unit, explains what the disease is and why bone marrow transplants are successful. Tracy was treated with drugs, then her bone marrow destroyed and new bone marrow transplanted. The narrator says that this unit is the most successful in Europe. In Tracy's case, her father was a bone marrow match so he was her donor. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:05:22:11 Length: 00:05:22:11
Segment 2 Dr Pole discusses the decision made to treat patients with bone marrow transplants early on in their disease. If the procedure fails then the patient dies very quickly, but if successful, then leukaemia will not recur, which would happen if only drug therapy was used. The narrator describes how the drugs used to attack leukaemia cells are poisonous to the patient so a very high standard of medical and nursing care is needed. The patients live in sterile rooms with filtered air. Side effects of the drugs are discussed; Tracy says that the worst thing was losing her hair. Her father talks about the wig they bought her. 14-year-old Anna is seen trying on wigs in the hospital. Another patient, 27-year-old Valerie, who has two children, is also seen. Her transplant is a week away. The medical team calculate her dose of radiation by placing capsules on her body and hitting them with a cobalt beam. Time start: 00:05:22:11 Time end: 00:10:18:23 Length: 00:04:56:12
Segment 3 The capsules are removed from Valerie and measured to work out the exact dose of radiation that she needs. Her brother Michael, her bone marrow donor, arrives a few days before the transplant to prepare. Valerie's radiation begins. She is taken from the ward in the morning and prepared for the huge radiation dose that will kill her bone marrow. She is left in the room for 8 hours. Her husband is seen waiting. Tracy discusses her radiation session, saying she felt lonely and sick. Her mother describes how distressing it was. Valerie is taken back to the ward. Michael is briefed about his operation by the anaesthetist. He is put under general anaesthetic and a hollow needle is pushed deep into his pelvic bone. The marrow is drawn off. The narrator mentions that his marrow is particularly rich in stem cells so the operation only takes half an hour. Time start: 00:10:18:23 Time end: 00:15:27:18 Length: 00:05:08:20
Segment 4 Michael regains consciousness after the operation. Valerie is set up for transfusion of his bone marrow. The narrator explains that during this time, the recipient patients are very vulnerable as their white cell count is practically zero. They may need a boost of white cells if they become ill. Anna has had a transplant but her white cell counts are fluctuating. A nurse explains to Valerie that the process will be difficult with many side-effects. Tracy talks about her side-affects, including very sore throat and mouth ulcers. She could not eat her birthday cake. Dr Pole talks about the problem of the new bone marrow attacking the patient, and how the team tested a new immunosuppressant drug, resulting in a 97% success rate. Families are seen gathered outside the patients' sterile rooms. Time start: 00:15:27:18 Time end: 00:20:05:01 Length: 00:04:37:08
Segment 5 Dr Pole talks about the great ordeal that the families go through. Tracy's mother talks about the time that Tracy was ill, saying she treasured each moment with Tracy. Tracy's blood count became normal three weeks after treatment. However, another patient is seen, Margaret, who died four days after filming, as she suffered severe complications after her transplant. The narrator explains that 4/10 patients have a chance of dying but that 20 years previously, 100% would have died. A unit staff meeting is seen. The narrator talks of the cost to the taxpayer per year - £1 million. Dr Poles discusses the cost, saying it is justified as otherwise many young people would die. Valerie is seen 10 days after her transplant, slowly recovering. Anna is seen - her blood count has become normal. Her father enters her room for the first time, and they hug, crying. Tracy is seen cycling and jumping on a trampoline, and she says that when she was ill she did not think of dying, only of recovering. She does her charity sky dive, and her friends and family cheer her on. Time start: 00:20:05:01 Time end: 00:25:25:24 Length: 00:05:20:23