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Teenager's Lifeline: Urgent Search for Stem Cell Donor
1 Dec
Summary
- Millie Fairley, 13, has a rare aplastic anaemia diagnosis.
- Her bone marrow struggles to create essential blood cells.
- Family urges public to register as stem cell donors.
A teenage girl from Eastbourne, Millie Fairley, 13, is in a desperate search for a life-saving stem cell donor following her diagnosis with aplastic anaemia. This rare condition severely impacts her bone marrow's ability to produce essential blood cells, necessitating strict isolation and leading to a life-altering diagnosis for her family. Millie's mother described the devastating impact, noting her daughter's inability to engage in normal teenage activities and the emotional toll on their family.
The family's urgent plea for a donor comes after initial tests revealed Millie's condition, leading to her transfer to King's College Hospital in London and ongoing treatment at Brighton Royal Children's Hospital. The lack of a matching donor within the family has intensified the stress, making the search for an external match paramount. They are collaborating with the blood cancer charity DKMS to raise awareness and encourage stem cell donor registrations.
DKMS highlights the simplicity and impact of registering as a donor, emphasizing that a 10-minute commitment could offer a patient like Millie a second chance at life. The donation process, if a match is found, is often similar to donating blood platelets. The campaign aims to broaden the donor pool, offering hope to Millie and countless others awaiting a vital transplant.
