The boy whose white blood cells cannot fight infections and could be killed by grass or dust!

Little Alex Hannard would like nothing more than to be able to play outside with his friends but can't because a blade of grass could kill him.

Brave Alex, of Hill Head, Hampshire, suffers from immune deficiency illness chronic granulomatous disorder (GCD), which stops his white blood cells fighting bacteria and fungal infections. The resolute nin-year-old, who is one of around 300 sufferers of the genetic disorder in Britain, rarely leaves the house because a speck of dust or piece of grass could kill him. Alex's mum Louise, 40, who quit her teaching job to look after him, said: 'It is hard for Alex to go outside and do things children his age want to.

A speck of dust or piece of grass could kill him. He can't go near ponds or lakes because he could catch a fungal or bacteria infections from them. 'One of the toughest things is playgrounds because most are covered with bark chips and he isn't allowed near them either. He struggles to go to school as well. 'Alex's white blood cells cannot fight infections, so if he was to catch something outside then he could die. 'It is hard to keep him motivated because he just wants to be a regular child but we try and do as much with him as possible.'

Alex was diagnosed with GCD in 2007, aged five, by doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Oxon. At first medics couldn't work out what was wrong with Alex after he was taken into intensive care and his parents Louise and David, 39, were told to prepare themselves for the worst. Former RAF officer Louise said: 'I worked a lot back then so he was with his childminder when he first felt ill. 

Alex with mother Louise and father David

'Things transpired from there and four days later he was in intensive care. We were told he could die. It was heartbreaking and a tough time. 'It was like an episode of House the television programme because nobody knew what was wrong with him.'Luckily one of the doctors remembered a previous case of GCD and they pumped him full of steroids. It was a miracle because three days later he was up and bouncing around again.' Alex, who wants to be a genetic scientist to help others like him, now needs a white blood stem cell transplant so he can have a regular life.Alex said: 'I want to join Cubs and go camping but I can't really go anywhere damp, because I might catch something.'Mostly I like to watch films and play computer games, and I have a best friend who looks after me and keeps me safe, but I wish I could do what everyone else does.'

Anthony Nolan spokesman Victoria Moffett, who are helping Alex find a white blood stem cell donor, said: "Alex has so many restrictions on his life that many people would take for granted - a simple infection could be life-threatening. 'The only hope for him is a blood stem cell transplant. We need more donors, particularly young male donors, who would help to improve those chances. 'If you are a match for someone like Alex, you could save their life and the procedure is quite simple and is similar to giving blood.'

Rosemarie Rymer, of the CGD Society, said: 'It is tough for Alex and his parents but we give them as much help and support as we can. 'It's important for families affected by CGD to lead as normal a life as possible - and that can be hard.'