At this time we are all guilty of going on a shopping frenzy for gifts we hope will enrich others’ lives. But today’s story of two-year-old Remy Roberts provides us all with an opportunity to give a gift that is guaranteed to be life changing.

Remy has severe aplastic anaemia, a rare condition that causes bone marrow failure, and is in the Royal Children’s Hospital under special protection from infection as medical specialists prepare her for a life-saving operation. 

She is being kept alive by blood transfusions and needs a compatible bone marrow transplant.

A big issue is that only a small number of Australians are on a register to provide bone marrow donations.

Remy’s medical experts are searching for a match anywhere in the world. Her family is urging south-west residents to consider becoming donors to ensure children like her have a better chance of finding a compatible match.

It’s a simple process to be added to the register. All people aged 18-45 need to do is give blood at a Red Cross blood collection centre and before giving blood ask for the appropriate form for the bone marrow register.

You will be asked to make a blood donation of 470mL and an extra 20-30mL will be collected to determine your tissue type. Only one in 1500 donors are called on each year to donate marrow.

Marrow is not the only gift we can give this festive season. Blood is another. Donations are critical at this time of year because there is a greater need for blood combined with a drop off in donations because donors are less likely to visit a collection centre while on holidays.

If you haven’t already drawn up a gift list yet, there is still time.

Six sleeps to be precise. No doubt you are lying awake at night thinking about which bike, the latest technological device or clothes you can’t decide on for gifts.

But spare a thought for Remy and her family and then give a gift for life.