A possible stem cell donor has been found for a Fife tot suffering from a rare blood disorder following a worldwide search.
Little Ava Stark, three, was diagnosed with a condition called inherited bone marrow failure earlier this year, and her mum Marie was told it could prove fatal unless a perfect donor match could be found.
The last few months have been heartbreaking for the Lochgelly family as they waited patiently for some news, having previously seen a donor — just one of 25 million people already registered — pull out at the last minute.
However, Marie’s prayers have been answered after doctors confirmed that another match has been found — meaning Ava’s vital treatment can start next month.
“I was at my work when I got the phone call and I was just jumping up and down, screaming and shouting, cuddling my boss,” Marie, who works at a car hire company, admitted.
“Because of what happened the last time, I asked the doctors if the donor had definitely agreed and they said they’re absolutely fine with it so we’re over the moon.
“I couldn’t even hear my mum down the phone when I told her the news, we were screaming and shouting so much.
“There’s still a lot of things to go through, but every test done so far has come back amazing, basically.
“The doctors will take her back in on October 3 to check her liver and kidneys, and to check that she’s strong enough, but fingers crossed things are looking good.”
Ava will need treatment beforehand to suppress her immune system, and she will have to stay indoors to avoid any bugs which could delay the transplant.
However, if all goes to plan, that should take place before the end of October.
Marie said they may never be able to find out who the donor is, and where they live in the world, but she will be forever grateful.
“If you say to Ava ‘Do you have a donor?’ she replies ‘My hero’,” she added.
“It’s so cute.
“She obviously finds it hard sometimes because she can’t go out in busy places, but she just says: ‘Is it because I’ve got an infection?’
“She doesn’t really know what’s going on but she’s still crazy and just gets on with things.”
Marie added that the family plans to keep fundraising and raising awareness of the need for stem cell donors, having been struck by the lack of information out there.
“We’ve got to keep raising awareness to try and stop anyone losing their child to this,” she continued.
“Everybody knows themselves — when you go into hospital you see things about giving blood, but you don’t see any posters about the need to donate other things like platelets (which help the blood clot).
“It should be just as important.”
Ava’s story has prompted many thousands of people to sign up as a donor through the Anthony Nolan Trust since her plight came to light.
Ann O’Leary, head of register development at Anthony Nolan, said: “It’s amazing to see what a difference Ava’s story is making, she has clearly inspired so many selfless Scottish people to sign up to our register and we can’t thank them enough.”
