Meet Mia Harris Jones, a 17-year-old from Cardiff who faced an aggressive form of blood cancer called T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Her journey with cancer began in 2023 with severe symptoms like stomach pains, fatigue, and unusual bruising. Diagnosed after several days of tests, Mia’s life took a dramatic turn when doctors discovered her cancer had spread, requiring immediate chemotherapy.
But this battle wasn’t fought alone. Mia needed over 40 blood and platelet transfusions to remain strong enough for her treatment. Those life-saving donations came from strangers she may never meet, yet their kindness made all the difference.
“Leukaemia changes your perspective,” Mia reflects. “It shows how dependent we can become on the generosity of others. I’m tremendously grateful to every blood donor out there who keeps fighters like me going.”
During her time at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital, Mia became a compassionate role model to younger patients, sharing hope and positivity. Her commitment to raising awareness about teenage cancer has seen her voice reach places like the Senedd. Her inspiring efforts even earned her a finalist spot for Young Volunteer of the Year 2025 at the Welsh Charity Awards.
Mia’s mother, Jade, also shared heartfelt appreciation: “As a parent witnessing leukaemia treatment, I know how vital those blood donations are in keeping our kids strong enough to continue their fight.”
Now, as Mia looks forward to finishing her final chemotherapy session and ringing the victory bell, her mission is clear: encourage more people to donate blood and join the stem cell registry with the Welsh Blood Service. Alan Prosser from the service emphasises the need, especially for volunteers from Black, Asian, mixed, or minority ethnic backgrounds who face a greater challenge in finding matching donors.
With easy steps to sign up, including requesting swab kits online, it’s never been simpler to become a lifesaver. Mia’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one act of giving can have on a life.
Let’s get inspired and help someone like Mia. Donate blood, join the stem cell registry, and be a hero today. 💪❤️ #WorldCancerDay #MiasMission #DonateBlood