Josie Davidson, six, from Alness, has been told she will need a stem cell transplant from a stranger in order to give her the best possible chance at life.
Josie Davidson needs a stem cell donation in order to have a second chance at life(Image: DKMS)
The mum of a seriously ill Scots schoolgirl has made a public plea for stem cell donors to come forward so her daughter can have a second chance at life.
Josie Davidson, six, alongside her sister Adeline, eight, have both been diagnosed with the rare and life-threatening condition Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. The condition is a rare genetic disorder that poses serious health challenges, including bone marrow failure.
Both girls, from Alness in Ross and Cromarty, were told they’d need a stem cell transplant from a stranger in order to give them the best possible chance of survival. While Adeline has already received a life-saving stem cell transplant, Josie is still waiting for her perfect match.
Brave tot Josie on her first day of school(Image: DKMS)
Speaking of her daughters’ double diagnoses, the girls’ mum, Steph, said: “Our eldest daughter, Adeline, was diagnosed in February 2019, and it was a huge shock.
“At that time, I was also six months pregnant with twins.
“It took almost two years for Adeline to have her life-saving transplant, and at times, we thought it was never going to happen.
“We thought it was over until a new person popped up on the register as a match for Addie – that person gave her a new life.
“In that long wait, of course, the twins were born. At around six months old, I had a strong feeling that Josie had the same condition. I just thought, ‘We have to go through it all again.’
“At the moment, there is no match for Josie on the register, so we’re still searching. Because she is so fragile and her condition is so rare, it is so important that we find a perfect match for her.
“It’s a waiting game really – we either wait for that perfect match or we need to wait until she gets poorly, which we don’t want, so the more people on the register, the more likely it is that she’ll get her second chance too.”
Sisters Josie and Adeline(Image: DKMS)
Josie’s illness currently requires weekly appointments with many different medical professionals.
A perfect stem cell match could, however, give her the chance to enjoy a carefree childhood with her twin brother, Jude, and older sister.
Steph continued: “Josie is a sweet, loving little girl, strong-willed but a free spirit. She loves dressing up, playing games, and doing crafts and activities – the messier, the better for Josie!
“She adores her big sister, and they sing and dance together daily. She doesn’t let her condition stop her. She just loves life and people.”
Josie with her DKMS flag(Image: DKMS )
The family is working closely with blood cancer charity, DKMS, to encourage more people to join the stem cell register.
To help find Josie’s match, DKMS will be at the Bridge of Allan Games on August 3 and the Black Isle Show on August 7 to encourage members of the public to join the stem cell register.
The process is quick, simple, and could give Josie – and others like her – a second chance at life.
Chris Bain, a stem cell donor from Aberdeenshire and who now leads the Scotland volunteer hub for DKMS, said: “For patients like Josie, stem cell donors offer a crucial second chance.
“The fact that her sister is now doing so well shows the life-changing impact of the stem cell donor register, and having been through this process from the donor side, I know just how easy it is.
“Only a third of patients find a match in their family, so joining the register means that you could give someone more time with the people they love, and potentially save a life.
“We’ll be at the Bridge of Allan Games and the Black Isle Show signing people up to the register, so come say hello and get signed up! It just takes a few minutes – we’ll be there to answer any questions that you have”.