REDDITCH has come together to support a family whose five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare blood condition.
In July, the Standard reported the family were appealing for more people to donate stem cells after their daughter Emilia Mackay was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia.
Since then, Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and now a care home are throwing their support behind the family, to encourage donations.
Millcroft care home are holding an open day, where volunteers aged 17 to 55 will be able to sign up to a stem cell donor register.
Home manager Lyndsay Sard said: “When Emilia’s father, James, told us Emilia’s story, we knew we had to do all we could to help this sweet little girl.
“As well as encouraging volunteers to come along and sign up to the donor registry, our team members will be cycling 310 miles on a static bike – the distance between our home and Edinburgh – to raise awareness of Emilia’s condition.
Emilia’s father James Mackay is appealing for more people to donate stem cells as, currently, only three per cent of the eligible population are registered.
He said: “Every week Emilia has blood and platelet transfusions and has a permanent central venous line to received the treatment
“The transfusions can only be short-term treatment as it is very damaging for anyone to receive so many transfusions – it often leads to severe liver damage.”
James and his wife are trying to remain positive, and are putting all their time into caring for their daughters and campaigning.
After meeting James and Mrs Maclean made an impassioned plea on social media.
She said: “The family would appreciate anyone who’s willing to be tested to help Emilia and others like her
“Emilia’s family have been tested, but none of them are a suitable match. This means that she’ll have to wait until a match is found.”
James has launched a campaign to make the British Bone Marrow Register an opt-out option, rather than an opt-in one.
Mrs Maclean added: “This would make a huge difference to people in need of a bone marrow transplant and would enable more matches to happen for patients and I’ve written to the Health Secretary on James’ behalf about this.”
Visit dkms.org.uk/get-involved/virtual-drives/emilia-needs-our-help for more information.
And visit gofundme.com/f/emilia-needs-our-help-to-fight-aplastic-anaemia to donate to the fund-raiser.
