The family enjoy living by the sea in Plymouth, and they share many fond memories of swimming, surfing and walking along Devon and Cornish beaches, as well as exploring European cities.
What isn’t immediately clear is that Philip urgently needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – an extremely rare form of blood cancer.
Symptoms began as a small itchy patch on Philip’s chest. Initially diagnosed with mycosis fungoides, light therapy kept it under control for years – allowing him to maintain a normal life with his family in Plymouth. However, 18 months ago, the condition progressed to his bloodstream, requiring intensive chemotherapy.
‘When I was moved from dermatology to haematology, it hit me—I was now a cancer patient,’ said Philip.
‘Walking onto the ward was a shock, but it made me realise how precious life is. I can have really dark days, but Alison’s optimism and support as a nurse has been incredible. It’s what keeps me going.’
Philip had been due to receive a haploidentical stem cell transplant from his daughter, Issey, however doctors have advised that this is too risky for his condition and therefore an identical match from an unrelated donor is necessary. Now at stage 4, Philip is waiting for news of a matching stem cell donor, but a suitable match has yet to be found.
‘I would do anything for Dad, so finding out I couldn’t be his donor was shocking and heartbreaking. My Dad is so kind, generous and he means everything to me,’ says master’s student Issey.
‘It’s incredible that such a simple thing—signing up and doing a cheek swab—could give someone, like my dad, a second chance at life. We’re now hoping to find that perfect match.’
Anthony Nolan is now searching the worldwide registers for a donor whose tissue type matches Philip’s, and who is willing to donate their stem cells to give him a second chance at life. The search could be more difficult because of Philip’s recently discovered Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.
Patients with Jewish and minority ethnic heritage are more likely to have a unique tissue type and less likely to find a donor on UK registers compared to those from white, northern European backgrounds. In addition, just 16 per cent of potential donors across the aligned UK registry are from a minority ethnic background.
The news Issey could not donate to her dad coupled with the wait for news of a match has taken an emotional toll on the entire family. Alison, a nurse, says: ‘This diagnosis doesn’t just affect Philip—it has a ripple effect across the whole family. It touches everyone, from his mum to my parents. No one is untouched.
‘As a nurse, I can navigate the medical side of things, but nothing prepares you for the emotional toll of seeing your husband battle this illness.
‘It’s terribly upsetting, but you have to be brave and strong. We have amazing doctors caring for Philip, but we know a stem cell transplant is his best hope now.’
In order to do something, the Charlesworths are appealing for young people to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register to help save the lives of patients in need of transplants.
Philip says: ‘Hardly anyone talks about being a stem cell donor. To register is such a simple thing to do, and it could give someone like me the gift of more time with my family.’
Charlotte Cunliffe, Director of Register Development at Anthony Nolan, says: ‘Every patient should be able to find their perfect match. Somewhere out there, there is a potential lifesaver who could help give Philip a vital lifeline.
‘If you're aged 16–30 you can join the register online and we'll send you a cheek swab in the post. If you're found to be a match for a patient, you could donate your stem cells and give hope to families like Philip’s’.
While simple, joining the stem cell register can be life-changing for patients in need of a transplant. People aged 16–30 can join online after which they will receive a swab pack, used to collect a cheek sample and it return by post. People in good general health will stay on the register until they turn 61. Only some will be called upon to donate, but each person on the Anthony Nolan register has the potential to save a life.
If matched, 90% of donations take place through peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, involving injections to boost stem cells, followed by a hospital visit where stem cells are filtered from the blood. The remaining 10% donate via bone marrow; the method chosen by the patient’s doctor based on their needs.
The family are remaining positive. Issey says: ‘I’ve seen my friends sign up to the register after hearing about my Dad’s story, and it means so much to know they’re willing to help others who are also facing a devastating diagnosis.’
Under the care of doctors at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Philip is currently working from home due to ongoing chemotherapy as the urgent search continues for his match.
To find about more about joining the Anthony Nolan register, or how to support the charity, visit anthonynolan.org/plea4philip.