Urgent request to help 13-year-old girl with rare blood disorder

The family of a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare and potentially fatal blood condition has launched an urgent appeal for a stem cell donor to save her life. Millie, from Eastbourne, suffers from aplastic anaemia, a disorder that affects only about two people per million in the UK, according to the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

This disease prevents the bone marrow from producing enough blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections, stopping bleeding, and transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Millies mother, 47-year-old Hayley Fairley, described the diagnosis as life-changing. Our world turned upside down overnight, she said. Millie has had to isolate at home or in hospital. She should be enjoying her teenage years, but instead, it has been an incredibly lonely time. We just want her to recover and regain her life.

Doctors have advised that Millie requires a stem cell transplant to treat her condition. If we cannot find a donor, I truly dont know what well do, Ms. Fairley said. It was devastating when none of our family members matched.

Millie first visited her GP due to headaches, bruising, and fainting. When a minor rash appeared, her mother took her to A&E. After further tests, Millie was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia and is now receiving ongoing treatment at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton.

Ms. Fairley described the news as a horrible shock. Learning that your child has a life-threatening illness is the worst news imaginable. It has changed our lives overnight.

The family is collaborating with the blood cancer charity DKMS to encourage more people to register as potential stem cell donors in the hope of finding a match for Millie. Spreading the word has given me some power to do something positive amidst this situation, said Ms. Fairley. Please consider signing up. It could save a lifemaybe even my daughters.

Bronagh Hughes, spokesperson for DKMS, added: For Millie and patients like her, a complete stranger joining the register could give them a second chance at life. It only takes 10 minutes, but you could be the match someone like Millie has been waiting for.

Author's Commentary: The Urgent Need for Stem Cell Donors

The story of 13-year-old Millie from Eastbourne highlights the critical importance of stem cell donation. Diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a rare blood disorder affecting only about two people per million in the UK, Millie requires an immediate stem cell transplant to survive.

Her family’s appeal underscores a harsh reality: even close relatives often do not match as donors. This leaves patients dependent on strangers willing to register as potential donors. Collaborating with DKMS, Millie’s family is encouraging more people to join the stem cell register, a simple act that can literally save lives.

The facts are clear. Millie’s condition prevents her bone marrow from producing essential blood cells, putting her at extreme risk for infection, bleeding, and oxygen deprivation. Immediate action from the public is crucial. Each new registration increases the chance that a match can be found, not just for Millie, but for other patients facing life-threatening conditions.

This situation reminds us that small efforts—spending 10 minutes to register—can have profound consequences. In Millie’s case, it is not hypothetical; it is a real, urgent opportunity to save a young life.

Sources:

• Plea to save girl, 13, with rare blood disorder