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Twin sister battles leukaemia as doctors give her six months to live

Jun 10, 2026, 5:07 PM10
(Update: Jun 10, 2026, 5:07 PM)
capital city of Wales, United Kingdom

Twin sister battles leukaemia as doctors give her six months to live

  • Mia Leggett was diagnosed with leukaemia after a stubborn skin irritation led to further testing.
  • After entering remission, complications arose due to her identical twin status, complicating potential stem cell donations.
  • Mia's journey highlights the emotional and physical challenges faced by young adults battling aggressive cancers.
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In Cardiff, a young woman named Mia Leggett was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia after experiencing what seemed to be a persistent skin irritation. Initially, she showed no typical symptoms of the disease, which led to a rapid diagnosis following tests conducted within 24 hours. After undergoing two months of chemotherapy, Mia entered remission in May 2025, providing a brief sense of hope for her family. However, complications arose when genetic testing revealed that Mia and her twin sister, Grace, were identical twins, making Grace's stem cells unsuitable for a transplant due to the body's need to recognize donor cells as foreign. This revelation prompted a search for an alternative donor as no family members were compatible. By August 2025, Mia's cancer returned in an unusual relapse, but a clinical trial using menin inhibitors successfully cleared the leukaemia from her skin. A second transplant was scheduled for December 2025, and by January 2026, Mia was declared in remission again. Unfortunately, her relief was short-lived; a follow-up check-up revealed that the leukaemia had resurfaced, with a blast count indicating a rapid progression of the disease. Grace, Mia's twin sister, left her job to support Mia during this challenging time, expressing the emotional toll of facing such a devastating diagnosis at just 24 years old. The twins had always envisioned a future together, and the thought of one not being there for the other was unfathomable. Mia reflected on her life, expressing a desire to create more memories with her loved ones, highlighting the urgency and fragility of life in the face of such a dire prognosis.

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