Emilia Mackay needs bone marrow donor to save her life

The family of Emilia Mackay hope a donor can be found as soon as possible so she can have the transplant which could save her life.

Emilia Mackay, who was born at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, was diagnosed in May with Aplastic Anaemia, a life-threatening condition affecting her bone marrow.

HAPPY: Emilia Mackay is just five years old and has already been through so much. She loves music and dancing. (Image: Supplied by family)

Her dad James Mackay of Redditch, a car sales manager, and mum, Steph Mackay, who teaches at Nunnery Wood High School in Worcester are raising awareness of the condition and funds to help in the battle for Emilia and others. 

Emilia is on both the NHS database and the DKMS database of bone marrow donors worldwide to increase her chance of finding a match.

Since their appeal has been launched 598 people have now signed up as potential bone marrow donors on her DKMS page which could help find not only a match for Emilia but others waiting for a transplant.

COURAGE: Emilia Mackay needs a donor to come forward but the family also wants to help other families in need of finding transplant matches (Image: Supplied by family)

Mr Mackay, 38, described his daughter as 'resilient' and 'brave' despite having to go to Worcester hospital every Monday for blood tests and have blood transfusions every fortnight, a process which lasts three and a half hours. "We are doing all we can to find a match for her," he said.

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Mr Mackay, who described the medical staff at Worcester as 'brilliant', said: "She loves music and dancing and she is learning to play the drums. Each week she and her big sister Ellie, aged 10, attend Amelia’s Dance Academy in Redditch.

"She cannot produce the right amount of red blood cells, platelets or white blood cells. This has resulted in rashes, bruising, tiredness and she is susceptible to infections.

"Emilia’s illness and the short-term treatment she is receiving mean she misses out on many things a normal five-year-old would usually do. Emilia tires very quickly and bruises easily; she often also suffers from a serious rash. Every week she must undergo blood and platelet transfusions, which leave her with scars from the needles and canula required for each transfusion. 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.

HOPE: Emilia Mackay and her family still have hope (Image: Supplied by family)

"We are lucky that Emilia’s illness was spotted quickly; she is now receiving some great treatment, but this will only help sustain her life in the short term.

"The best way of treating the illness is for Emilia to receive a stem cell/bone marrow transplant from someone who is a suitable match. We are greatly appreciative of anyone who is willing to be tested to help Emilia and others like her with these devastating conditions."

The family has been tested but none are a suitable match so it will potentially be a long wait whilst a match is found. 

Visiting the hospital has had an impact on their finances and their normal family life, especially for Emilia's older sister.

Mr Mackay added: "If we are lucky and find a match for Emilia then she has a long painful road ahead. She will receive chemotherapy just like a cancer patient in order to kill off her existing stem cells/bone marrow. This will mean months in hospital on a children’s cancer/oncology ward, as she will have no immune system and be susceptible to infection whilst receiving treatment.

Any funds they do not need for Emilia will go to the Grace Kelly Trust, DKMS and the Aplastic Anaemia Trust. 

To support the family visit www.gofundme.com/f/emilia-needs-our-help-to-fight-aplastic-anaemia.