Parents will go to any lengths to ensure their children are safe and healthy, which makes this family’s urgent quest for a bone marrow donor for their daughter all the more poignant. Thankfully, the community is rallying to assist this little girl in finding her perfect match.
Sarah Johnson is the mother of Lily, who recently marked her first birthday at a local children’s hospital. Tragically, Lily has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and the clock is ticking.
Lily urgently requires a bone marrow transplant, but her parents are only partial matches. “Many people wonder why they can’t just combine our half-matches into one, but it’s not that straightforward,” Sarah explains. “We experience both good days and bad days,” she adds. The family spends a significant amount of time at the hospital, where Lily receives treatment. Diagnosed at just nine months old, having such a young child facing a serious illness is devastating. “It’s incredibly difficult because there are moments when you feel helpless. Lily is so tiny; she can’t articulate her pain. She can’t say, ‘Mommy, my bones hurt.’”
This is where the community steps in to help. The process of getting swabbed to see if you’re a potential bone marrow donor takes just a few minutes, and the outcome could mean saving a life.
Upcoming Bone Marrow Drives
The Johnson family is fortunate to have strong community support, with several upcoming bone marrow drives planned. Here are the details for the next events:
- Sunday, April 9, at a local beach from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 10, at a nearby coffee shop from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, April 15, at a local technical college from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
In a conversation with us, Sarah emphasized the importance of participating in these drives if possible. If not, consider joining the registry at join.bethematch.org for quicker processing. “There are countless children and families looking for a bone marrow match. It’s not about who’s next in line; it’s about matching,” she explains. Finding a match is quite challenging, which is why enrolling in the registry is crucial.
Doctors will check the registry for Lily at the end of the month, and if no matches are found, her mother indicates they may have to proceed with her husband’s half-match, which isn’t ideal as it raises the risk of complications. A 100% match is essential for the best outcome.
Lily is set to begin her third round of chemotherapy soon, requiring a lengthy hospital stay. By June, Sarah notes that Lily will need the transplant, making it imperative to do everything possible to secure a suitable match.
Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful. “We will keep everyone updated and pray for assistance, not just for our daughter but for any child in need of a match.”
“As a mother, I strive to stay strong, but the truth is, I want to be home with my baby in her crib,” Sarah laments.
If you’re looking to make a difference, please consider joining the registry to help those in need of a donor. For more information on related topics, check out this insightful post on home insemination or visit Make a Mom for expert guidance. Additionally, Mount Sinai offers valuable resources for those navigating pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
A family is urgently seeking a bone marrow donor for their one-year-old daughter, Lily, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia. With her parents only being partial matches, they are appealing to the community for help through various bone marrow drives. Time is critical, as Lily will need a transplant soon. The family remains hopeful and encourages others to join the donor registry to save lives.