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AIBU?

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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:
cmacca842 · 02/04/2023 17:08

I have just registered. I really hope she finds a match soon xx

maranella · 02/04/2023 17:13

I'm 49 and I just registered, so it's not up to age 40 and men only!

baytreelane23 · 02/04/2023 17:13

I have just registered. I hope you find a match soon, how worrying x

chali7 · 02/04/2023 17:14

Registered 💐

Binfluencer · 02/04/2023 17:14

Registered x

gonnabeok · 02/04/2023 17:17

I've just registered. Fingers crossed she finds a match.

Dogstar78 · 02/04/2023 17:21

So sorry you are going through this. I saw a story on breakfast TV during lockdown. I sent off for a pack and am now on the register. I wish you and your family well x

Trez1510 · 02/04/2023 17:23

Too old.

Have shared details personally on social media groups and also on a few fora I use - one of which is male dominated.

I truly hope a suitable match is found soon for the wee one.

MumOf2workOptions · 02/04/2023 17:42

Just tried to register but I don't meet the criteria probably as BMI is too high but I would if I could ❤️

seratoninmoonbeams · 02/04/2023 17:45

I recently registered as a friends husband has been through a terrible time and needed this. Sending all the best wishes and good luck. X

DazedandConcerned · 02/04/2023 17:46

I just signed up for a kit. Thank you for spreading awareness.

HaggisBurger · 02/04/2023 17:47

Sosbanfachtheresatellyinmybath · 02/04/2023 12:02

I'm already a donor but your post has just prompted me to change my address and phone number with them. I hope a donor is found soon 🙏

That’s a good point. I did too but have subsequently moved.

Wishing your cousin’s child a full recovery @Rosieted

Theirishwan · 02/04/2023 17:50

Just to give you a bit of hope.

Over 20 years ago my niece, who was 13 at the time , was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. She was lucky that one of her younger brothers was a match. She is now married with 2 children and has her own hairdressing business.

I am too old to be a doner but praying a match is found soon 🙏. X

HarlanPepper · 02/04/2023 17:51

cadburyegg · 02/04/2023 13:01

Sorry, looks like it's up to age 40 but men only.

that's not true.

RaisinforBeing · 02/04/2023 17:53

I know a child who had aplastic anaemia. They didn’t find a match but she had a treatment which I think was emerging from the USA at the time (about 10yrs ago) which involved immunosuppressant therapy / weeks in isolation and kick starting her bone marrow using a medicine derived from animals. She was cured but spent a long time in GOSH. Minimal issues now.

RandomMess · 02/04/2023 17:54

I am already on the register, I hope they find her a match very soon Flowers

MaverickSnoopy · 02/04/2023 17:54

I'm so sorry to hear this Flowers, I hope she finds her match.

I've just signed up.

FuzzyPuffling · 02/04/2023 17:57

My DH had a stem cell transplant. It saved his life.
Sadly, I'm too old for the register, but started giving blood again - those red cells and platelets also save lives.

OldFan · 02/04/2023 17:57

They say I'm too mental to do it as I have bipolar. Sad Seems a shame.

I'm sure she'll get better @Rosieted - praying for her. Please keep us updated.x

Purplepinkfairy · 02/04/2023 17:57

I'm not in UK so not suitable. But could you go to local newspapers and ask them to do a article asking people to donate. Try and spread on Facebook, Instagram and all social media......local radio stations. Try and get as much publicity as possible. Even hand out flyers or drop through letterboxes.

CoffeeLover90 · 02/04/2023 18:01

I'd registered years ago. I've changed address and I think contact details since then. Have used your link to register again. Hoping and praying a match is found. As pp suggested, post flyers,contact radio and newspapers and keep spreading the word.

Lennybenny · 02/04/2023 18:04

Sadly I'm too fat apparently. Only just though so maybe I can still do it for someone else. Sorry.

grumpycow1 · 02/04/2023 18:07

Who the frick would vote YABU?! Hopefully it was a mistake. This is really helpful, I have signed up. Thank you and hope they find a match soon

OnlyFannys · 02/04/2023 18:13

Thought I was too old but it said i was eligible when i clicked the link so I've requested a swab pack

Hevasparkle · 02/04/2023 18:13

Just signed up.
so sorry OP. My young nephew has a brain tumour with a very poor prognosis. I wish there was some hope of something similar to save him but sadly there isn’t anything. Made it all the more important for me to sign up when I saw your post.
love to your goddaughter May the angels guard her until she finds her match