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Original poster

Every parent's worst nightmare - please help

383 replies

Rosieted · 02/04/2023 11:36

Twelve weeks ago my cousin's daughter was a healthy and happy 10 year old, enjoying a sleepover for her birthday and dancing with her friends way past her bedtime. Then all of a sudden, just after Christmas, her parents noticed strange bruising on her body. They didn't think it was anything serious but took her to her GP who ran her bloods. When the results came back everyone was in shock - they showed that her bone marrow had suddenly stopped working and after various tests she was diagnosed with a very rare and incredibly serious blood condition called aplastic anemia.

She is now in hospital having regular transfusions of red blood cells and platelets which are keeping her alive. In order to be cured she needs a stem cell transplant, and fast.

Her brother sadly isn't a match. Nor is anyone currently on the stem cell donor registry. My beautiful relative is now very poorly in hospital and is reliant on a total stranger to do something amazing and donate some of their stem cells to save her life.

I had no idea, but 90% of stem cell donations are taken from a donor's blood in much the same way as giving blood - it's pretty simple, yet it could save someone's life.

If you are reading this, please could you consider joining the donor stem cell registry. You could be the match that my god daughter needs. A group of her friends have set up a campaign called #swabyourgob and you can sign up to join the registry by ordering your free mouth swab kit from www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

Even if you are not a match for her, you could be for the many people each year who need the kindness of a total stranger to save their lives.

Thank you so much for reading x

Register as a potential donor

To become a potential blood stem cell donor, just check your eligibility and request a swab kit.

http://www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

OP posts:
Iguanainanigloo · 02/04/2023 15:05

Just signed up OP fingers crossed your god daughter finds a match asap. X

Cattenberg · 02/04/2023 15:08

I signed up several years ago, but as a woman over 40, I’m unlikely to be chosen to donate now.

We need lots of young people to sign up, especially men and people from ethnic minorities. Maybe a few MNetters’ young adult children would sign up? There would also be plenty of good potential donors at every university.

OP, I really hope your cousin’s daughter finds a match soon.

LittleMG · 02/04/2023 15:10

I’ve registered, take heart @Rosieted the amount of people registering here fingers crossed one of us will be a match xx

Iamclearlyamug · 02/04/2023 15:11

Fingers crossed for your god daughter - I have signed up for a swab pack 😊

TottyKnickers · 02/04/2023 15:11

Rosieted · 02/04/2023 11:36

Twelve weeks ago my cousin's daughter was a healthy and happy 10 year old, enjoying a sleepover for her birthday and dancing with her friends way past her bedtime. Then all of a sudden, just after Christmas, her parents noticed strange bruising on her body. They didn't think it was anything serious but took her to her GP who ran her bloods. When the results came back everyone was in shock - they showed that her bone marrow had suddenly stopped working and after various tests she was diagnosed with a very rare and incredibly serious blood condition called aplastic anemia.

She is now in hospital having regular transfusions of red blood cells and platelets which are keeping her alive. In order to be cured she needs a stem cell transplant, and fast.

Her brother sadly isn't a match. Nor is anyone currently on the stem cell donor registry. My beautiful relative is now very poorly in hospital and is reliant on a total stranger to do something amazing and donate some of their stem cells to save her life.

I had no idea, but 90% of stem cell donations are taken from a donor's blood in much the same way as giving blood - it's pretty simple, yet it could save someone's life.

If you are reading this, please could you consider joining the donor stem cell registry. You could be the match that my god daughter needs. A group of her friends have set up a campaign called #swabyourgob and you can sign up to join the registry by ordering your free mouth swab kit from www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

Even if you are not a match for her, you could be for the many people each year who need the kindness of a total stranger to save their lives.

Thank you so much for reading x

I just tried but I'm over 55, but good luck

MrsRinaDecker · 02/04/2023 15:12

Just signed up x

Nocutenamesleft · 02/04/2023 15:15

Rosieted · 02/04/2023 11:36

Twelve weeks ago my cousin's daughter was a healthy and happy 10 year old, enjoying a sleepover for her birthday and dancing with her friends way past her bedtime. Then all of a sudden, just after Christmas, her parents noticed strange bruising on her body. They didn't think it was anything serious but took her to her GP who ran her bloods. When the results came back everyone was in shock - they showed that her bone marrow had suddenly stopped working and after various tests she was diagnosed with a very rare and incredibly serious blood condition called aplastic anemia.

She is now in hospital having regular transfusions of red blood cells and platelets which are keeping her alive. In order to be cured she needs a stem cell transplant, and fast.

Her brother sadly isn't a match. Nor is anyone currently on the stem cell donor registry. My beautiful relative is now very poorly in hospital and is reliant on a total stranger to do something amazing and donate some of their stem cells to save her life.

I had no idea, but 90% of stem cell donations are taken from a donor's blood in much the same way as giving blood - it's pretty simple, yet it could save someone's life.

If you are reading this, please could you consider joining the donor stem cell registry. You could be the match that my god daughter needs. A group of her friends have set up a campaign called #swabyourgob and you can sign up to join the registry by ordering your free mouth swab kit from www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

Even if you are not a match for her, you could be for the many people each year who need the kindness of a total stranger to save their lives.

Thank you so much for reading x

I’m already on the list! Have been for 2 years. So sorry I’m not a match.

nothingcomestonothing · 02/04/2023 15:16

The FAQ page comes after you sign up
90% of the donations are peripheral blood but you need to be in hospital for 2 days and take growth stimulatingn tell factor which causes your spleen to become enlarged temporarily. Cannulas in both arms for 3-5 hours. 10% of donations are from bone marrow in the hip bone under general anaesthetic. It’s painful.

If you donate peripheral blood cells you have 1 or 2 days in hospital yes but you don't stay in, you go to a haematology unit during the day. They generally get enough cells in one day but book 2 to be on the safe side if needed. The GCSF injections make you produce more stem cells than normal so they spill from your marrow into your blood so they can be collected - it's not painful as such as long as you are ok with injections and a couple of large cannulas. Cells taken from the marrow can be done under GA or sedation, with that method it feels like you've been kicked hard afterwards. As I said upthread, it's more than giving blood and people should look i to what is involved carefully, but for context children donate for siblings sometimes, it's not major surgery or debilitating.

FusionChefGeoff · 02/04/2023 15:18

Registered and donated thanks for the motivation and I really hope she's ok x

Coffeeandcrocs · 02/04/2023 15:20

I've just signed up 🙂

sweatynoob · 02/04/2023 15:22

Unfortunately i cant due to being a cancer survivor but I wish her all the best

parklimes · 02/04/2023 15:24

Over 55 so unable to sign up sadly

Nocutenamesleft · 02/04/2023 15:25

RoseMarigoldViolet · 02/04/2023 13:13

Hi OP, just wondering, can anyone be on the register? Do you have to be youngish, healthy or other requirements? Thanks

  • aged between 17 (minimum age) – 55 (maximum age)
  • in general good health
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) under 40
  • not already registered on another bone marrow registry - you only need to be on one:
  • Anthony Nolan
  • British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR)
  • Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry (WBMDR)
  • UK resident at a permanent address for two years minimum
  • haven’t recently requested a swab online from DKMS.
Fuctifin0 · 02/04/2023 15:26

I have been on it since 18 and will drop off it this year as I reach 55.
I wish her the beat of luck in finding a donor match.

Okaaaay · 02/04/2023 15:32

I’ve registered OP, thank you - I wish your niece every peace of luck and love in her journey through this.

Dustyblue · 02/04/2023 15:33

Oops didn't mean to include all that!

Hope any Australians on tonight pick up the message, sorry to derail OP.

XX

soundsofthesixties · 02/04/2023 15:34

My cousin donated his bone marrow to a man in Switzerland many years ago. He was only on the register for a few months before he was found to be a match.

Minierme · 02/04/2023 15:36

I’ve signed up

pinkpanther84 · 02/04/2023 15:37

Signed up

LunchBoxPolice · 02/04/2023 15:38

I signed up a few years ago after seeing another post on here.
I really hope she finds a match soon. X

Original poster
Rosieted · 02/04/2023 15:39

Thank you all so so much. We really appreciate it. ❤

OP posts:
Emanresu9 · 02/04/2023 15:42

Good luck OP. I have ulcerative colitis so am not eligible sadly.

Whichnumbers · 02/04/2023 15:47

im not able to register, there are three reasons out of my control as to why I can't register - sorry

ArcaneWireless · 02/04/2023 15:48

Registered quite a few moons ago now. A local lad’s family held a recruitment drive in the town hall.

Hoping that they are successful in their quest 🌻