WHILE most two-year-olds will be enjoying the thrill of opening Christmas presents in their family home, Remy Roberts will be in a hospital isolation ward awaiting a life-saving operation.
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She has severe aplastic anaemia — a rare condition that causes bone marrow failure — and is being kept alive by blood transfusions.
Her future depends on being able to receive a compatible bone marrow transplant.
The two-and-a-half-year-old Warrnambool district girl is in the Royal Children’s Hospital under special protection from infection as medical specialists prepare her for when an appropriate marrow match is found from somewhere in the world.
Her family was given the alarming diagnosis only a month before Christmas Day and a few days after her parents Lee and Gillian celebrated their marriage.
“It’s so heartbreaking,” said Remy’s grandfather Peter Roberts.
“She doesn’t have a brother or sister to provide a bone marrow match so her future totally depends on someone’s generosity.
“We are appealing to the south-west community to consider donating blood and to go on the bone marrow registry.
“The registry is very small in Australia compared to other countries. On many occasions children and adults in Australia source bone marrow from outside Australia.”
Mr Roberts said the extended family was grateful for support and well-wishes from the community and for existing blood donors and bone marrow registry members.
“By going on the registry you may help save the life of our beautiful granddaughter, niece and daughter Remy or many other families with loved ones in the same position,” Mr Roberts said.
The Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry is part of a worldwide network and manages and recruits people willing to anonymously donate their bone marrow.
“To join you need to be aged between 18 and 45 years old, in good health, meet the eligibility criteria and be prepared to donate for anyone in the world,” a Red Cross spokeswoman said.
“If people are eligible they can make an appointment to donate blood and join the registry.
“Often patients who need a bone marrow transplant also need a lot of blood so if you’re not eligible to join the registry you can still help by donating blood.
“Donations are in high demand between Christmas and New Year which is when donors are less likely to attend their appointment. “
The Warrnambool Red Cross Blood Bank in Fairy Street takes donations by appointment on 131 495 or via donateblood.com.au