Plea for people to join stem cell register (TW - seriously ill baby)

[MelisandeLongfield]

I've just read this extremely sad story in the news. I had never heard of the stem cell register (and at 50 am now too old to join it). It might be just me who is ignorant of it but I thought it was worth posting for awareness in case anyone of the right age would want to join. Hoping this baby girl finds a match.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2egpvlxzm1o

I think I’ve seen this beautiful baby Dolcie-Mae on DKMS’s insta, I’d be happy if I was a match, what a gorgeous spirited child she deserves the best 🙏🏽

My mum’s life was saved thanks to somebody signing up to donate her bone marrow (one perfect match in the whole world, a woman from overseas).
Both my mum and the donor were over 50 when the transplant happened.

Praying this baby finds one 🙏

What an amazing story, I'm so glad your mum's life was saved.

Absolutely. I'm not usually a very emotional person over news stories but Dolcie-Mae's brave smile brought me to tears; and there must be many more people of all ages who are desperately in need.

I've been registered with DKMS for years, you can still register with them up until the age of 55.

Yes, I have heard of the register. There are always appeals on TV, morning shows, for ethnic minorites etc. Nowadays, it can sometimes be collected via a blood sample. Previously, the only way was taking it directly from the bone marrow in the hip, which I believe was quite painful and put alot of people off. I'm too old to register, but if it had only been a blood test when I was younger, I would have certainly signed up.

I must say, Dolcie-Mae has a wicked head of hair 🤗

That's really good to know! The article says 16-30 for the Anthony Nolan register; just looking at DKMS website now.

She does, that's a huge mop of hair for such a little baby!