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

The family of a teenage girl who was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disorder just days after turning 13 have issued an urgent plea for a stem cell donor to save her life.

Millie, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, has aplastic anaemia, which affects about two people in every million in the UK, according to the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

The condition means the bone marrow cannot make enough new blood cells for the body to function normally, making it difficult to fight infection, stop bleeding or carry oxygen.

Millie’s mother Hayley, 47, said the diagnosis has changed the lives of her family “overnight”.

She added Millie was “forced to isolate either at home or in hospital”.

“My little girl should be starting teenage life. It’s been a really lonely time for her, we just want her to get better so she can have her life back,” she said.

Medics have told Millie’s family she needs a stem cell transplant to treat her condition.

Hayley added: “If we can’t find a donor, I don’t know what we’ll do.

“It was so upsetting when none of the family were a match.”

Millie was sent for blood tests by her GP after complaining of headaches, bruising, and fainting.

While waiting for the results, her mother noticed a slight rash and took her to A&E.

After more tests, Millie was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia.

She is now receiving regular treatment at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Hayley said the diagnosis was a “horrible shock” for the family.

“To be told that your child has a life-threatening condition is the worst possible news, it’s changed our lives overnight.”

Millie’s family are now working with blood cancer charity DKMS to encourage more people to register as donors and hopefully find her a match.

Hayley said: “I feel like getting the word out has given me some power to do something good in all this.

“Please think about signing up. It could change someone’s life, maybe even my daughter’s.”

DKMS spokesperson Bronagh Hughes said: “For Millie and patients like her, a total stranger joining the register could give them their lives back.

“It takes 10 minutes of your time, but you could be the match that Millie, or someone else like her, is waiting for.”

Additional reporting by PA.