Hey Lightsped,
Sorry to hear about your friend. I'm actually just around the same age as him-22. Do you know what treatment your friend underwent and what medications he is currently on?
I think as long as his counts are in the safe zone, theres no reason to move forth with a bone marrow transplant. My doctor told me my counts may never return back to my normal counts pre-diagnosis, but as long as they are at a comfortable level at which transfusions are no longer needed, then a bone marrow transplant isn't needed.
I also don't think he'll need to be on medication for the rest of his life, many people are on cyclosporine and are on a slow taper of this- perhaps over a few years- but eventually he should be able to get off medications and hopeful go back to resuming his normal life
