Life 4 Leo: Can you help give this 8-month-old a fighting chance?

Cape Talk's Sara-Jayne Makwala King spoke to Leo's parents, Andrew and Tarryn Parker. 

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.

Finding a stem cell or bone marrow donor is a matter of life and death for thousands of people around the world, including eight-month-old Leo Parker.

Leo has been diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder called MECOM-Associated Syndrome, which leads to complete bone marrow failure.

His diagnosis is said to be the first of its kind in South Africa, with only 23 known cases worldwide.

His parents say that in his short life, Leo has seen 23 medical specialists and undergone multiple X-rays, ultrasounds, biopsies, procedures under anaesthesia, and 14 blood transfusions - with an ongoing need for more.

He has also faced an unfathomably high number of blood tests and painful needle pricks.

"He's the most remarkable child. From the outside looking in you would never know there's anything wrong with him or what he's been going through over the last eight months...always happy, always smiling." 

- Andrew Parker, Leo's dad

Currently, there are no suitably matched donors on national or international registries. 

The Parker family is calling on the public to register as potential donors to help not only their son but to also offer hope to others in need.

ALSO READ: WATCH: This is how easy it is to become a stem cell donor

If you are between the ages of 17 and 55, healthy, and willing to be a donor, the process is simple and begins with a cheek swab that you can perform from the comfort of your home.

DKMS, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer, assists patients in finding matching stem cell donors. They offer a free service that delivers and collects a DNA swab kit at your address.

Click here to find out more about how to register.

You could be the miracle match that someone has been waiting for.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.