Boy, 4, declares himself 'superhero' after saving baby brothers' lives
A young boy has been described as a real life super hero, after becoming a donor when his infant twin brothers needed a bone marrow transplant.
Michael DeMasi Jr, a four-year-old from the US, said he wanted to help his younger siblings, Santino and Giovanni, after his parents told him he was a match, The Washington Post reports.
The infants needed the procedure after being born with a rare immunodeficiency disease, called Chronic Granulomatous Disease, which can be deadly.
Four-year-old Michael, was not born with the condition, but the family’s oldest son was and also had to have a stem cell donation.
It is reported that the transplant took place in Philadelphia in March and the brave preschooler later watched on as his infant siblings received his cells.
“That’s my bone marrow! That’s my bone marrow!” he reportedly declared as he jumped and shouted.
Prior to the procedure a video was shared by the boys’ mother, Robin Pownall, where the preschooler said he was “a real life superhero”.
And he still feels that way.
Last week Ms Pownall posted another video online, which shows a happy moment as the family prepared to leave hospital.
Michael can be seen in the short clip wearing a superhero shirt as he stands in the middle of his brothers.
He says, “I saved you guys. It’s time to go home.”
Along with the heartwarming clip the boys’ mother wrote: “Not all heroes wear capes, but he does!!!!!!!!!!!!! Michael is a real life super hero & I could not be any more proud #michaelourhero #goinghomeboys #hesavedthem “
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Ms Pownall said it was not an easy decision to let him be the boys’ donor, telling the Washington Post that she and her fiancée struggled with the option and tried to explain the what the procedure would entail to their son.
“Part of me was like, ‘Well, he’s 4. Maybe he doesn’t know what’s going on.’ But he did, and he was all for it,” Ms Pownall said.
The twins are now nearly seven months old and are being monitored by doctors following the procedure, but are now not showing signs of the disease.
