Search for stem cell donor to save Alness two year old

A routine blood check for iron levels in February came back with unusual results.

Two year old Adeline Davidson had very low levels of iron in her blood, and more tests were scheduled.

The toddler was diagnosed with myelodysplasia, a rare type of blood cancer more commonly found in people aged 60 and above.

Adeline bruises very easily, and although the condition is supposed to make her tired and more prone to infection, she is currently still energetic and full of life.

She needs a bone marrow transplant to fight the cancer, and currently has three matches of around 80-90% in the UK.

Mum Steph Davidson said the higher the match, the better her daughter's chances are:

'We found out in February that there was a problem and that was through a normal blood test. That came back saying everything was severely low and abnormal. It was a bit of a shock.

'We knew she was a bit pale, and she bruised very easily, but we just thought she was a clumsy toddler.

'We went down to Aberdeen and got her bone marrow tested, and found out it was MDS.

'She has matches but none of them are 100%. We want to push for more awareness and more donors to sign up to the register and try and find the best match.'

Adeline currently gets a transfusion once a week of red blood cells and platelets to keep her stable.

The family are travelling to Glasgow near the end of May and will be given a timeline for chemotherapy and transplant, and the toddler will also get her bone marrow tested again for any changes.

A sign up event to join the bone marrow donation list as a potential donor has been organised for Saturday 18 May 2019 in Culloden Balloch Village Hall 10-5.30pm.