In the quiet hours of the morning, eXp South Africa’s Andrew Parker doesn’t rise to check listings or prepare for a show house — he checks on his son, Leo. Just two years old, Leo was diagnosed with an incredibly rare and life-threatening bone marrow disorder. What followed was a chapter of Andrew’s life defined not by business growth, but by a father’s unwavering fight to save his child.
Andrew is a real estate agent. A father. And now, a messenger of hope.
Leo’s condition — an aggressive form of bone marrow failure — affects fewer than one in a million children. His only chance at survival was a stem cell transplant. The odds of finding a match? Just 1 in 100,000.
“It’s the kind of news that stops everything,” Andrew shared during the early days of Leo’s diagnosis. “Your whole world becomes about one thing — keeping your child alive.”
From Purpose to Community Power
Andrew joined eXp Realty less than a year ago, launching Parker Properties in Cape Town’s southern suburbs. His approach was always purpose-driven: as a hearing-impaired entrepreneur, he built his business around giving back. A portion of every commission goes to Hear2Speak, a nonprofit supporting children with hearing and speech challenges.
But as Leo’s condition worsened, the tables turned. This time, Andrew needed the support of a community he had only just begun to explore.
“I hadn’t even had the chance to fully plug into the eXp culture,” he recalled. “But the way people showed up — from leadership to agents I hadn’t even met — it was overwhelming. People just wanted to help.”
That support sparked something bigger. Through articles, social media shares, and heartfelt messages, eXp agents across South Africa and around the world helped amplify Leo’s story. And they answered the call to register as stem cell donors through DKMS Africa.
A Perfect Match — and a Renewed Sense of Hope
Today, the Parkers are overjoyed to share the news that Leo has found his perfect stem cell match!
While they are not permitted to disclose the source, it is clear that through everyone’s collective voices, calls-to-action, and the unity of the eXp community, it made a significant impact in this global search.
Here’s a message from the Parkers:
IT’S A PERFECT MATCH!
After months of prayers, searching, and uncertainty… our hope has arrived.
A perfect stem cell donor has been found for our precious son, Leo!We are overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you — for every thought, every prayer, every message, and every act of kindness. Whether you supported us in spirit or registered as a donor, you’ve played a part in this miracle, and we thank you from the depths of our hearts.
Our journey is far from over. In fact, the hardest part is still ahead, but today, we pause to celebrate this life-saving breakthrough.
Our brave little lion has faced every challenge with a heart full of courage and a smile that lights up our world. And now, thanks to this incredible match — and to an amazing community standing beside us—he has a fighting chance.
Thank you for continuing to walk this path with us. We feel your love, your strength, and your hope, every single day.
— Tarryn & Andrew
The Power of Purpose in Action
Leo’s story is more than a personal fight — it’s a testament to what’s possible when business meets humanity. Andrew joined eXp to grow his real estate business. But in the process, he discovered something far greater: a family.
With 85,000+ agents worldwide, eXp Realty has always been more than a model — it’s a movement. And this movement, rooted in collaboration, innovation, and agent-centric values, showed its full strength when one of our own needed it most.
To everyone who swabbed, shared, and showed up: thank you. You helped give Leo a chance at life.
Let’s continue being a force for good — in real estate, and in the world.
