Hey Patient Worthy community – let’s help a young girl with aplastic anemia find a bone marrow donor!
Nine-year-old Emma Hall needs our help – so let’s see what we can do!
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a rare, serious, blood disorder that occurs when the body’s bone marrow stops making enough new blood cells due to damaged stem cells. The condition can develop over time or quite suddenly in people of any age. However, it does tend to get worse as time passes.
Symptoms include:
- Prolonged bleeding from cuts
- Nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Recurrent or lengthy infections
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
To read more about aplastic anemia, click here.
Brave Little Soldier
“She’s the bravest soldier,” Alisa, Emma’s mother, said.
“Emotionally your heart aches for your daughter,” said her father Gregg.
She doesn’t have much energy, and because she’s on immunosuppressive therapy, she can’t live the way she used to before her diagnosis.
“You had to quit gymnastics. You had to quit soccer. We’re home schooling now, so we’re not in school full time anymore,” Alisa said to her daughter.
And any parent will know – it’s always heartbreaking to tell your child what she CAN’T DO, instead of what she CAN.
How Can We help?
- To join the National Bone Marrow Registry, you can request a test kit from DKMS or Be The Match.
- If you would like to hold a drive for Emma, contact DKMS. Anyone from any part of the country can hold a drive for her.
- Please share this story with anyone who you think can be of help — the more people are aware, the better chance a right donor can be found.
- Click here for Emma’s page “Emma Hall’s Army” to read more about Emma.
