#FightForElaiya

Eighteen-month-old Elaiya has the most endearing, loving and warm personality. She leaves such a positive and joyful impression on everyone she meets.

Elaiya started showing signs of extreme fatigue, high temperature and abdominal distention in April 2022. Her parents took her to Bristol Children’s Hospital for tests. Blood test results showed that her platelet levels were low and that it would take three to six months for her condition to improve.

Elaiya’s platelet levels were increasing, so it was a shock when, in early May, she was unwell once again, feeling lethargic with a high temperature. Further tests were taken, then, devastatingly, the family was told that Elaiya has leukaemia.

Elaiya was started on her first round of chemotherapy the very same weekend. Her resilience was evident as she smiled the whole way through. However, the medical team knows that she will need a blood stem cell donation to save her life.

Finding a matching donor

No one currently on the register is a match, nor is anyone in her family, who are Pakistani.

Muzahir, Elaiya’s Dad said “There is a universal shortage of ethnic minority donors. That’s why we want to raise awareness to these groups and encourage people to sign up to become donors, as well as just how important and how simple it is to register.” South Asian people represent just 8% of the potential donors on the register.

Elaiya loves to blow kisses, dressing up and dancing to her favourite tunes. She particularly loves Disney’s Aladdin. She’s very close to her brother Salahuddin, who is protective of her. His dearest wish is that his sister finds a matching donor.

Please help this family ensure Elaiya has the best chance of getting a good match by registering yourself now.