Mother Urges Public to Join Stem Cell Registry: Baby’s Life Depends on It

The parents of a three-month-old baby girl are appealing to the public to join a stem cell registry in hopes of finding a donor who can save their daughter’s life. Dolcie-Mae Edwards-Raymond, from Newport, was diagnosed with Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocystosis (HLH), a life-threatening blood disorder.

Initial Diagnosis

Initially, doctors suspected that Dolcie-Mae had a viral infection when she fell ill and failed to gain weight. However, she was just four weeks old when her parents received the devastating news that she had HLH.

The Urgency of HLH

HLH is an immune deficiency disorder in which certain types of white blood cells, known as histiocytes and lymphocytes, become overactive and attack the body. This condition affects fewer than one in 500,000 people per year. There were 1,674 people diagnosed with HLH in England between 2003 and 2018.

Specialized Treatment

After her diagnosis, Dolcie-Mae was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, where she is receiving specialized treatment. Her parents, Courtney-Jade Edwards, 22, and Ashley David Raymond, 28, are now begging the public to sign the Anthony Nolan stem cell register to find a donor for their daughter.

Call for Donors

The family is appealing to people aged between 16 and 30 to join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register. Courtney-Jade Edwards described the ordeal as heart-wrenching: “When Dolcie-Mae’s dad, Ashley, and I found out our daughter had HLH, we were devastated. We had no idea about this rare blood disorder until she was diagnosed. To hear that our daughter’s body was attacking itself was just so heartbreaking.”

Edwards emphasized the critical role that stem cell donors play in providing patients with a “second chance at life.” She added, “A stem cell transplant from a stranger can be their only hope. Please join the stem cell register.”

The Family’s Journey

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Dolcie-Mae’s older sister Dollie-Rae is staying with her grandmother while her parents are in the hospital with her. The family is staying in touch with daily video calls to avoid the risk of spreading infections to Dolcie-Mae, as visiting the hospital is strongly discouraged.

Support from Anthony Nolan

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Charlotte Cunliffe, director of register development at Anthony Nolan, expressed sympathy for the family and support for Dolcie-Mae. “It’s heartbreaking to think about what little Dolcie-Mae and her family are going through and we are supporting them through this uncertain time. At Anthony Nolan, we give hope to families affected by blood cancers and disorders, but we can’t do it without the lifesavers that sign up to our register.”

Cunliffe urged potential donors to act quickly. “If you are aged 16-30, please sign up to the Anthony Nolan register online and send back your swabs. You could be the match that someone like baby Dolcie-Mae needs to survive.”

The Importance of Community Support

While the immediate priority is finding a donor for Dolcie-Mae, the family sees this as an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical need for stem cell donors. They encourage others to join the registry in the hope that it can also save lives in the future.

As her sister Dollie-Rae temporarily lives with her grandmother, Dollie-Rae’s aunt, Stephanie Curtis, voiced her solidarity with the family. “It’s not the same as being there together but it’s the closest we’ll ever get to seeing her at this time.”

Dolcie-Mae’s family is currently staying strong and hopeful. As they continue their fight for her life, they remain publicly optimistic.

Action Needed

For those who are eligible to become stem cell donors, Anthony Nolan provides an easy process. Completing an application and sending back a swab kit can significantly increase the chances of finding a perfect match for little Dolcie-Mae.

By signing up, you could potentially save a life like Dolcie-Mae’s, offering hope to families facing similar challenges.