Family Of Eastbourne Teen Issues Urgent Appeal for Stem Cell Donor

The family of a 13-year-old girl from Eastbourne is urgently appealing for a stem cell donor after she was diagnosed with an extremely rare and life-threatening blood disorder shortly after her birthday.

Millie has aplastic anaemia, a condition that affects only around two people in every million in the UK, according to the Aplastic Anaemia Trust.

The illness prevents the bone marrow from producing enough new blood cells, leaving the body unable to fight infection, stop bleeding or carry oxygen properly.

Her mother, Hayley, 47, said the diagnosis has turned their world upside down.

“It’s changed our lives overnight,” she said.

“Millie has been 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.”

Doctors have told the family that Millie urgently needs a stem cell transplant. But after close relatives were tested, none were found to be a match.

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

“It was so upsetting when none of the family matched.”

Millie was first sent for blood tests after experiencing headaches, bruising and fainting.

While waiting for results, Hayley noticed a rash and took her to A&E, where further tests confirmed the diagnosis.

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

Hayley described the moment she learned of her daughter’s condition as “a horrible shock”.

“Being told your child has a life-threatening condition is the worst possible news,” she said.

“Everything changed in an instant.”

The family is now working with blood cancer charity DKMS in the hope of finding a suitable donor, and encouraging others to register.

“Getting the word out gives me some power to do something good in all this,” Hayley said.

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

A spokesperson for DKMS said:

“For Millie and patients like her, a total stranger joining the register could give them their lives back.

"It takes just 10 minutes to sign up, and you could be the match that Millie, or someone else like her, is waiting for.”