Brave Dundonald tot needs life-saving transplant

Mar 15 2013 by Jennifer Buchanan, Ayrshire Post

She’s only three-years-old and she’s been bravely battling a life threatening condition.

But now gorgeous Ailsa Croll’s family have been told that the tot needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life.

Ailsa was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia last year, which means her bone marrow does not produce enough fresh blood cells to replace the ones which naturally die away.

This leaves the boisterous toddler with virtually no immune system to fight off bugs, and covered in bruises.

Ailsa, who lives in Dundonald, spent most of the summer in and out of Yorkhill Hospital receiving tough immuno-suppression treatment in the hopes that it could cure her. But biopsy results revealed this week that the treatment had failed.

A potential bone marrow donor was found, and the woman will be approached and asked if she will save Ailsa’s life.

Ailsa’s mum, Kirsteen, said: “We really have no time scale yet. First they have to see if the woman will agree to be a donor, then she has to have a full medical check to make sure she’s physically alright to do it.

“And then we’ll know, we’re hoping about four to six weeks.”

Once the donor is confirmed, Ailsa will have to be prepared to receive the new bone marrow.

This means the youngster will have to have all her own marrow eradicated, which is done by giving Ailsa a really strong course of chemotherapy for a week.

But during that time Ailsa will be in total isolation, and other than her mum and dad she won’t be allowed any visitors to stop her getting any germs.

Kirsteen added: “Once she gets a bit better after she receives the bone marrow she’ll hopefully be able to come home.

“She won’t be allowed any visitors for six months but to be honest if we had to do it for six years we would.

“She’s been absolutely amazing though, she’s so strong.

“We’ve had a couple of times over the last few months where we nearly lost her. But one night we’ll be in ICU and the next day she’ll be sitting up wanting to play.

“She’s doesn’t really remember a time when she wasn’t in hospital and coming here is almost like a play date for her, she gets to see all her wee friends.

“She’s desperate to start school though which is in 18 months’ time, so that’s our goal.”

Kirsteen added: “I just want to thank everyone who has supported us over the last year; our friends, family, everyone who’s signed up to donate bone marrow and platelets, and everyone who leaves us messages on Facebook, you’ve no idea what a boost it is.”

To follow Ailsa’s progress search for Ailsa’s Appeal on Facebook.