A schoolgirl with a rare blood disorder has received a life-saving stem cell transplant thanks to a donor in Germany.
Five-year-old Emilia Mackay was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in May and needed painful weekly blood and platelet transfusions.
After tests showed no one in her family was a match, her parents James and Steph launched an appeal with charity DKMS.
Luckily a match was found abroad just two months later.
James, 38, said: “We were hopeful but we weren’t expecting it to happen so quickly. We know of people who have waited months or even years to find a match. It was obviously quite emotional when we found out, it was almost out of the blue.”
DON’T MISS: Stem cell donor urgently sought to cure Emilia, 5, of rare blood disorder
Emilia on transplant day with the infusion of stem cells
The German donor’s cells were flown to Oxford and processed, then taken by blood bike to Birmingham Children’s hospital.
Emilia received the transplant via a 40-minute infusion on September 29. James added: “We had a bit of a celebration and got some party hats. It was like having a second birthday for her – that was the feeling we all had.”
Emilia is now recovering on a secure ward where she must remain in isolation while her immune system is rebuilt.
Doctors will know in two to three weeks whether the transplant cured her condition. Early tests have shown a small positive change in her white blood cell and neutrophil counts.
James said his daughter had experienced “difficult days”, including nasty side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and losing her hair. But she has “turned a corner” in the last few days.
More than 2,000 people need a stem cell transplant each year in the UK but the donor register cannot meet demand.
Patients from minority ethnic backgrounds only have a 37 percent chance of finding a match, compared with 72 percent for those from a Northern European background.
James said: “Just sign up. It’s so easy to do and could save someone’s life.”
DKMS spokesperson Deborah Hyde said: “We’re delighted for Emilia and her family that she has had her stem cell transplant, and we all wish her a very speedy recovery.
“However, there are still too many other people with blood cancer, and their loved ones, urgently waiting to find a stem cell match.
“Just three per cent of the UK’s population are registered with DKMS as potential donors.”
People aged 17-55 who are in good general health can register with DKMS by ordering a home cheek swab kit. Find out more here.
