THE parents of Finley Hill said “it still doesn’t feel real” after meeting the man who is saving their son’s life on ITV’s This Morning.

Finley, aged 10, from Belbroughton received a stem cell transplant in November 2020 after being diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune disorder.

Through stem cell charity, Anthony Nolan, Finley’s family made contact via WhatsApp with his donor, Jose Nata Da Silva, from Brazil.

On Friday, July 8, Finley and his parents Jo and Paul were invited back on This Morning after multiple previous appearances documenting Finley’s journey.

Jo said she was expecting a FaceTime call or a video message from Jose, but little did they know they were about to meet their son’s lifesaver in the flesh.

In a tear-jerking moment, the family were shown a video message from Jose.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Finley Hill at This Morning studios. Finley Hill at This Morning studios.

He said: “Hi Fin, I hope you are well. I am glad I could help you and I hope to meet you soon.”

Co-presenter of This Morning, Phillip Schofield then said: “We’ve gone one step further than that, we’ve flown him in from Brazil.”

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Finley Hill. Finley Hill.

The family then rushed over to give Jose a hug and along with a translator chatted to Phillip and Holly Willoughby about stem cell donation and the impact it has had on Finley’s life.

After the emotional show, the family and Jose carried on getting to know each other over lunch.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Finley Hill.Finley Hill.

Jo, aged 47, said: “It still seems like a pinch-me moment – it was overwhelming and doesn’t seem real.

“This Morning have kept in contact with us, asking how Fin is.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Fin met his donor Jose on This Morning. Credit: ITV HubFin met his donor Jose on This Morning. Credit: ITV Hub

“They have been a massive support since we first appeared on the show in 2019 and lots of people signed up to stem cell register.

“When I told the team I had been in contact with Jose, I gave them his number and was expecting a video message or a Facetime, something along those lines.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. Credit: ITV Hub. Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. Credit: ITV Hub.

“Jose had known about it for three weeks, and he has never left Brazil before so for him to come all this way to meet us was just amazing.

“We found out when he first donated to Fin, he flew four hours to Rio to do it.

“Jose gave his marrow and was told he was donating it to a seven-year-old boy in the UK and he said he burst out crying.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Finley Hill.Finley Hill.

“To have had this opportunity is phenomenal and we are incredibly lucky to have him as part of our family now.”

Although life for Fin right now is “brilliant” he, unfortunately, contracted Covid last October and again in April which has lowered his stem cell levels, so it is likely he will need another transplant around November time, says Jo.

“Jose’s stem cells are frozen in the UK ready to go and use,” added Jo.

“I urge anyone to sign up to the stem cell register as none of us know what is around the corner.

“This could be someone’s reality tomorrow and they need their person waiting for them.”

Henny Braund MBE, CEO at Anthony Nolan, said: “It was a joy to watch Finley finally meet his amazing donor Jose.

"With the rest of the nation, we were holding back tears.

"Following the broadcast, Anthony Nolan has received an incredible 277 new sign-ups and counting to our stem cell register.

"Finley’s story continues to have a huge impact, and we hope it will continue to inspire many more people from all backgrounds to join the register and potentially save the life of someone like Finley.

"We are delighted to see that he is enjoying life to the full and we wish Finley and his family the very best for the future.”

Those aged between 16 and 30 can join Anthony Nolan’s stem cell register via www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/join-stem-cell-register or if you are aged between 15 and 17, register as a donor at https://www.dkms.org.uk/register-now.