Amy's Story
3-year-old Amy has devastatingly been diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. She desperately needs a stem cell transplant to give her a second chance at life.
Fortunately, Amy has found a match on the stem cell register – but there are still countless others still searching for their lifesaving match. Amy’s family are urging more people to register as stem cell donors, to give hope to other people facing blood cancer and blood disorders.
Diagnosed with aplastic anaemia
Amy’s grandad, Mike, explains: “Amy started developing unexplained, severe bruising – all little ones get bruises but this was really bad… After a second bone marrow biopsy, doctors confirmed that she has severe aplastic anaemia. Her poor immune system is completely shattered by infections and temperature spikes – she has had sepsis twice, which has wormed its way in through her ear and burst her eardrum and eroded her mastoid bone behind her ear– they have had to fit a grommet to relieve that pain.”
Search for a match
Amy’s mum, Sarah, explains: “The wait to see if Amy has a match has been the most torturous thing that me, my husband, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, grandparents and our close friends have experienced. The emotional and physical fatigue and the weight of knowing that the fight is far from over is relentless and excruciating.
“Amy’s siblings have had their moments of complete heartbreak. Missing their sister and not wanting her to be in the hospital and wishing she was home to play with. Especially her older sister, who is also like her “bestie”.
Give hope
“Amy has a way of making anyone smile and feel that deep warmth when they meet her for the first time and then every moment after that… She has always said wants to go see the sea with her family. When she is out of the hospital and has a clean bill of health, nothing will stop us from making this possible for her.
“By registering, you would be on the international list to help anyone who might need stem cells… If a life can be saved, no matter the age, to have a second chance is the greatest gift to any family. To have the opportunity to have years of memories is worth more than all the money in the world.”