Family's Desperate Plea to Save Teenager with Rare Blood Disorder
A 13-year-old girl from Eastbourne is in a desperate race against time to find a lifesaving stem cell donor after being diagnosed with an extremely rare blood condition.
Millie Fairley, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a disorder that affects around two people in every million in the UK. This life-threatening condition means her bone marrow cannot produce enough new blood cells for her body to function normally, leaving her struggling to fight infections, stop bleeding, and carry oxygen effectively.
A Life Changed Overnight
Her mother, Hayley Fairley, 47, said the diagnosis transformed their family's world "overnight". Millie is now forced to live in isolation, either at home or in hospital, drastically altering the typical experiences of a teenager.
"My little girl should be starting teenage life, but she's so vulnerable that she has to isolate at home or in hospital," Ms Fairley explained. "She can't see her friends, and it's been a really lonely time for her. We just want her to get better, so that she can have her life back."
Doctors have been clear: Millie's only hope for a cure is a stem cell transplant. The search for a matching donor has been fraught with anxiety, especially after discovering that no one in their immediate family was a suitable match.
"If we can't find a donor, I don't know what we'll do," her mother admitted. "I'm trying to be positive through it all but it was so upsetting when none of the family were a match. I'm on edge waiting to see if we can find a matching donor. It's a huge amount of stress for all our family."
The Road to Diagnosis
The first signs of Millie's illness appeared when she began complaining of headaches, bruising excessively, and fainting. After initial blood tests were requested by her GP, a slight rash prompted a trip to A&E.
Following a series of intensive examinations—including additional blood tests, X-rays, and an MRI—the devastating diagnosis of aplastic anaemia was confirmed. Millie was subsequently transferred to King's College Hospital in London and now receives regular treatment at Brighton Royal Children's Hospital.
Reflecting on the moment they received the news, Ms Fairley described it as a "horrible shock". "We're completely devastated. To be told that your child has a life-threatening condition is the worst possible news, it's entirely changed our lives overnight. She can pick up infections so quickly, so we're constantly in hospital."
An Urgent Call for Donors
In response, Millie's family has partnered with the blood cancer charity DKMS to launch an urgent appeal. Their mission is twofold: to find a donor for Millie and to encourage more people across the UK to register as potential stem cell donors.
"It's so important that people know that they can register as donors. You have a chance to do something so positive," Ms Fairley urged. "I feel like getting the word out has given me some power to do something good in all this. Please think about signing up, it could change someone's life, maybe even my daughter's."
Bronagh Hughes, a spokesperson for DKMS, emphasised the profound impact potential donors can have. "For Millie and patients like her, a total stranger joining the register could give them their lives back," she said.
She sought to demystify the process, assuring that it is "very simple" and "so easy to give someone a second chance." Joining the register involves a quick health questionnaire and painless mouth swabs, taking just ten minutes.
"If you are matched to a patient and called up to donate, nine times out of ten you can donate through your blood, similar to donating blood platelets, and DKMS will be there to support you through the whole journey," Hughes added, offering reassurance to those who may be hesitant.
The family's campaign highlights the critical need for more diverse donors on the UK stem cell registry, offering hope not just for Millie, but for the many others awaiting their own second chance at life.
